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Introduction Potentilla tormentilla has many biological and pharmacological properties and can be used as an ingredient of some herbal medicines or beverages. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of individual polyphenols, especially condensed and hydrolysable tannins in commercially available tormentil rhizomes and tinctures using chromatographic methods. Methods A quantitative analysis (HPLC-PDA) was preceded by qualitative studies (UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS) and the isolation (CC) of the major tannin compounds. Results The tested plant material is characterised by a high content of tannins and related polyphenols, i.e. in rhizomes even at the level above 20% and in tinctures above 2%. The main components of tormentil rhizomes are procyanidin B3 (mean ~ 3.6%), procyanidin C2 (mean ~ 2.8%), agrimoniin (mean ~ 2.5%), 3-O-galloylquinic acid (mean ~ 1.7%), catechin (mean ~ 1.6%), other flavan-3-ol oligomers (mean ~ 0.5–1.1) and laevigatins (mean ~ 0.2–0.6%). Free ellagic acid and glycosides of ellagic and methylellagic acids are secondary components. Conclusions Underground parts of tormentil are a source of oligomeric proanthocyanidins and ellagitannins, but in smaller quantity of gallotannins. Monogalloylquinic acids are new identified compounds, which had not been described in Potentilla tormentilla before we started our research. In the analysed tormentil tinctures agrimoniin concentration is lower in relation to other tannins. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Diet is an important lifestyle factor which influences people's health and the prevention of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Cereal-based foods constitute the main component of the everyday diet worldwide. Old cereal species like spelt (Triticum spelta L.) are becoming more and more popular, especially in Europe. This review focuses on the role of bioactive compounds from spelt and their possible biological mechanisms of action in glycemic control. Spelt grain contains a high amount of dietary fiber, which can modulate postprandial glycemia. Other phytochemicals, such as phytic acid and alkylresorcinols, also contribute to controlling blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity and hiperinsulinemia. Antioxidant compounds present in spelt grain may act as protection from negative outcomes of chronic hyperglycemia. In this paper the composition and beneficial properties of spelt are also compared with those of widely consumed cereals like common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The health benefits of whole grain as opposed to refined products are also discussed.

Iridoid and polyphenol profiles of 30 different honeysuckle berry cultivars and genotypes were studied. Compounds were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS) in positive and negative ion modes and quantified by HPLC-PDA. The 50 identified compounds included 15 iridoids, 6 anthocyanins, 9 flavonols, 2 flavanonols (dihydroflavonols), 5 flavones, 6 flavan-3-ols, and 7 phenolic acids. 8-epi-Loganic acid, pentosyl-loganic acid, taxifolin 7-O-dihexoside, and taxifolin 7-O-hexoside were identified in honeysuckle berries for the first time. Iridoids and anthocyanins were the major groups of bioactive compounds of honeysuckle constituents. The total content of quantified iridoids and anthocyanins was between 128.42 mg/100 g fresh weight (fw) (‘Dlinnoplodnaya’) and 372 mg/100 g fw (‘Kuvshinovidnaya’) and between 150.04 mg/100 g fw (‘Karina’) and 653.95 mg/100 g fw (‘Amur’), respectively. Among iridoids, loganic acid was the dominant compound, and it represented between 22% and 73% of the total amount of quantified iridoids in honeysuckle berry. A very strong correlation was observed between the antioxidant potential and the quantity of anthocyanins. High content of iridoids in honeysuckle berries can complement antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Everyday use of the herbal tea rooibos, produced from Aspalathus linearis (Brum.f) Dahlg. (Fabaceae) is customary in South Africa, a continuation of its historical use by indigenous people. Although evidence of its traditional indications is anecdotal, rooibos tea is regarded as a general health tea. Aims of the study Available contemporary research indicates to broad cell protective activity of rooibos focusing on its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycaemic and antithrombotic features affecting metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk and neuroprotection. Nevertheless little is known about its impact on brain functions. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the possible behavioural and neurochemical effects of long-term oral administration of “fermented”” rooibos herbal tea (FRHT) infusions to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and methods Infusions, prepared using 1, 2 and 4 g of “fermented”” (oxidised) A. linearis leaves for 100 ml of hot water, were characterised in terms of flavonoid content by ultra-high and high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-qTOF-MS, HPLC-DAD) and administered to rats as sole drinking fluid for 12 weeks. Spatial memory behaviour was assessed in a modified version of the Morris water maze. Dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and their metabolite levels (DOPAC, 3-MT, HVA, MHPG, 5-HIAA) were quantified in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum by HPLC-ECD. Body weight and blood glucose level were additionally estimated. Results All FRHT-treated rats showed improvement of long-term spatial memory defined as increased number of crossings over the previous platform position in SE quadrant of the water maze. It was not accompanied by excessive motor activity. Striatal dopamine and its metabolite 3-MT (3-methoxytyramine) levels were increased in treated rats. There were no differences in body weight gain between control and treated animals but blood glucose level was significantly lower in the latter ones. Conclusion The improvement of long-term memory in FRHT-treated rats and stimulating impact of FRHT on their dopaminergic striatal transmission support the wellness enhancing effect of rooibos tea, contributing to a better understanding of the neurological background of traditional habitual consumption of this herbal tea.

The separation of anthocyanins present in the fruits of 11 varieties of red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode-array detector and evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD). The ELSD parameters--drift tube temperature, nebulising gas flow rate and gain value--were optimised to get the best detection and identification of the anthocyanins. The varieties Heritage and Willamette had the simplest anthocyanin sets consisting of only two predominant anthocyanins--cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside (1) and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (3), while in the other varieties two other predominant compounds were also present, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside (4) and cyanidin-3-O-(2(G)-O-glucosylrutinoside) (2). Moreover, using ELSD, simultaneous analysis of anthocyanins and sanguiin H-6 (5), an ellagitannin, was performed. The contents of anthocyanins and sanguiin H-6 (5) were estimated by HPLC with ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) light detection. The determined concentrations of anthocyanins varied from 76.22 to 277.06 mg per 100 g of dry weight (d.w.). The content of sanguiin H-6 (5) was in the range from 135.04 to 547.48 mg per 100 g of d.w.

Introduction Meadowsweet and dog rose are used as herbal medicines and foodstuffs. Their biological and pharmacological properties are mainly attributed to vitamins, flavonoids and tannins known to be effective antioxidants. Objective To evaluate the distribution of hydrolysable tannins and other polyphenols in commercially available products of Filipendula ulmaria and Rosa canina. Methodology In order to evaluate the distribution of polyphenols, the isolation and structure elucidation of six ellagitannins (tellimagrandins I and II, rugosins A, B, D and E) along with other well-known compounds was performed. Further high-performance chromatographic methods (HPLC, HPTLC) were developed for qualitative and quantitative studies of phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins in meadowsweet flowers and dog rose fruits. The analysis of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy showed that the HPLC assay was sufficiently precise for content evaluation. Selection of a suitable solvent and optimisation of the sample extraction procedure were also carried out. Results Amounts of more than 20 polyphenols were estimated in the studied pharmaceuticals (27 products of meadowsweet and 10 products of dog rose) using a Chromolith Performance RP-18e column and UV detection. Methyl gallate 3-O-β-glucoside was identified for the first time in dog rose, while rugosins A, B and E are new meadowsweet constituents. Conclusion The results showed that meadowsweet flowers and rose hips with seeds yielded 55.53–124.8 and 0.43–1.26 mg/g of ellagitannins, respectively. The sum of detected polyphenols was 83.88–165.68 mg/g for Filipendulae ulmariae flos and 1.21–2.66 mg/g for Rosae pseudo-fructus cum fructibus. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and liquid chromatography (LC) methods were developed for the qualitative and quantitative determination of agrimoniin, pedunculagin, ellagic acid, gallic acid, and catechin in selected herbal medicinal products from Rosaceae: Anserinae herba, Tormentillae rhizoma, Alchemillae herba, Agrimoniae herba, and Fragariae folium. Unmodified silica gel (TLC Si60, HPTLC LiChrospher Si60) and silica gel chemically modified with octadecyl or aminopropyl groups (HPTLC RP18W and HPTLC NH2) were used for TLC. The best resolution and selectivity were achieved with the following mobile phases: diisopropyl etheracetoneformic acidwater (40 30 20 10, v/v/v/v), tetrahydrofuranacetonitrilewater (30 10 60, v/v/v), and acetoneformic acid (60 40, v/v). Concentrations of the studied herbal drugs were determined by using a Chromolith Performance RP-18e column with acetonitrilewaterformic acid as the mobile phase. Determinations of linearity, range, detection and quantitation limits, accuracy, precision, and robustness showed that the HPLC method was sufficiently precise for estimation of the tannins and related polyphenols mentioned above. Investigations of suitable solvent selection, sample extraction procedure, and short-time stability of analytes at storage temperatures of 4 and 20C were also performed. The percentage of agrimoniin in pharmaceutical products was between 0.57 and 3.23.

Chromatographic techniques (HPLC and HPTLC) were used for qualitative and quantitative determination of eriocitrin, luteolin 7-O-rutinoside, luteolin 7-O-beta-glucuronide, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid, and methyl rosmarinate together with other known compounds in commercial herbal teas from the Lamiaceae family: peppermint leaf (Menthae piperitae folium), melissa leaf (Melissae folium), and sage leaf (Salviae officinalis folium). Contents of analyzed compounds in infusions, the most popular forms, were established using a C18 column with acetonitrile-water-formic acid as a mobile phase. The HPLC method was validated for linearity, precision, and accuracy. Luteolin 7-O-beta-glucuronide and lithospermic acid were identified as new Mentha x piperita compounds. The investigated herbal teas delivered polyphenols in high amounts, up to 182.2 mg for the infusion of one peppermint tea bag.

HPTLC-densitometric and HPLC–UV techniques were used for qualitative and quantitative determination of luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid in several herbal drugs from the Lamiaceae family: Thymi herba, Serpylli herba, Majoranae herba and Menthae piperitae folium. Unmodified silica gel (HPTLC Si60) and silica gel chemically modified with aminopropyl groups (HPTLC NH2) were used during the investigation process. Among HPTLC methods the best resolution and selectivity was achieved with mobile phases: diisopropyl ether–acetone–formic acid–water (50:30:10:10, v/v/v/v) and acetone–formic acid (85:15, v/v), respectively. Plates were densitometrically evaluated. Contents of analyzed compounds in the studied aqueous extracts prepared from herbal drugs were established using both techniques. The results from the HPTLC-densitometric analysis have been compared with those from HPLC–UV on a C18 column with acetonitrile–water–formic acid as a mobile phase. The chromatographic methods were validated for linearity, LOD, LOQ, repeatability, intermediate precision and recovery. An analysis of variance showed that the HPTLC-densitometric and HPLC–UV methods are equivalent and sufficiently precise for the estimation of polyphenolic compounds mentioned above, in investigated herbal drugs. All of the suggested methods (HPTLC NH2, HPTLC Si60 and HPLC RP18) give results with good agreement.

The aim of this study was to identify and compare the contents of phenolic acids, tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoid glycosides in thorny and thornless blackberries. Five thorny and nine thornless cultivars were used for this study. Thirty-five phenolic compounds were determined in the examined fruits, and one phenolic acid, three ellagic acid derivatives, one anthocyanin, and six flavonols were characterized for the first time in blackberries. The thornless fruits were characterized by a higher content of anthocyanins (mean = 171.23 mg/100 g FW), ellagitannins (mean = 3.65 mg/100 g FW), and ellagic acid derivatives (mean = 2.49 mg/100 g FW), in comparison to thorny ones. At the same time, in thorny fruits, the contents of hydroxycinnamic acids (mean = 1.42 mg/100 g FW) and flavonols (mean = 5.70 mg/100 g FW) were higher.

Polyphenolic compounds such as eriocitrin, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, diosmin, hesperidin, narirutin, isorhoifolin, rosmarinic and caffeic acids were identified in an aqueous extract (Ex) obtained from peppermint leaves (Menthae × piperitae folium). The content of polyphenols in Ex was as follows: eriocitrin 38%, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside 3.5%, hesperidin 2.9%, diosmin 0.8%, isorhoifolin 0.6%, narirutin 0.3%, rosmarinic acid 3.7% and caffeic acid 0.05%. The strongest antiradical activity (determined as DPPH• scavenging features) was observed for luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, eriocitrin and rosmarinic acid. Caffeic acid and hesperidin revealed a lower antiradical activity while isorhoifolin, narirutin and diosmin showed the lowest activity. The strongest anti-H2O2 activity was observed for eriocitrin, a little lower for rosmarinic acid. The rate of hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity displayed by luteolin-7-O-rutinoside and caffeic acid was lower than that of rosmarinic acids. Hesperidin appeared to be a very weak scavenger of hydrogen peroxide. Almost no anti-H2O2 activity was demonstrated for diosmin, narirutin and isorhoifolin. Among examined flavonoids, the strongest antiradical and anti-H2O2 activity was shown for compounds with two hydroxy groups bound to the Bring in ortho position in relation to each other. Replacement of one hydroxy group in the Bring with a methoxy group or removing one hydroxy group leads to decrease of antiradical and anti-H2O2 activity of flavonoids. Our results suggest that eriocitrin is a powerful peppermint antioxidant and a free radical scavenger.

A new depside, erodiol, was isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Erodium cicutarium (Geraniaceae), together with essential compounds such as: geraniin, didehydrogeraniin, corilagin, (-) 3-O-galloylshikimic acid, methyl gallate 3-O-β -D-glucopyranoside, rutin, hyperin, quercetin 3- O-(6”-O-galloyl)-β -D-galactopyranoside, isoquercitrin and simple phenolic acids. Their chemical structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic (ESI MS, HRESI MS, 1D and 2D NMR) evidence.

The main goal of this study was to generate potato tubers with increased levels of flavonoids and thus modified antioxidant capacities. To accomplish this, the vector carrying multigene construct was prepared and several transgenic plants were generated, all overexpressing key biosynthesis pathway enzymes. The single-gene overexpression or simultaneous expression of genes encoding chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), and dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) resulted in a significant increase of measured phenolic acids and anthocyanins. The increase in phenolic compounds synthesis is accompanied by decreases in starch and glucose levels in transgenic plants. The flavonoids-enriched plants showed improved antioxidant capacity; however, there is a complex relationship between antioxidant capacity and flavonoids content, suggesting the great participation of other compounds in the antioxidant potential of the plants. These other compounds are not yet recognized.

Natural phenolic compounds, e.g. ellagitannins, gallotannins, and flavonoid glycosides, from the aerial parts of Erodium cicutarium ( Geraniaceae ) have been isolated and identified. The structures of these compounds were determined by conventional methods of analysis and confirmed by MS and NMR spectral analysis. The distribution of tannins and flavonoids in E. ciconium, E. cicutarium, E. manescavi , and E. pelargoniiflorum were examined by TLC on unmodified silica gel and on silica gel chemically modified with polar and nonpolar groups (HPTLC Si 60, HPTLC Si 60 LiChrospher, HPTLC diol, HPTLC CN, and HPTLC RP-18W).

Potentilla tormentilla has many biological and pharmacological properties and can be used as an ingredient of some herbal medicines or beverages.The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of individual polyphenols, especially condensed and hydrolysable tannins in commercially available tormentil rhizomes and tinctures using chromatographic methods.A quantitative analysis (HPLC-PDA) was preceded by qualitative studies (UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS) and the isolation (CC) of the major tannin compounds.The tested plant material is characterised by a high content of tannins and related polyphenols, i.e. in rhizomes even at the level above 20% and in tinctures above 2%. The main components of tormentil rhizomes are procyanidin B3 (mean ~ 3.6%), procyanidin C2 (mean ~ 2.8%), agrimoniin (mean ~ 2.5%), 3-O-galloylquinic acid (mean ~ 1.7%), catechin (mean ~ 1.6%), other flavan-3-ol oligomers (mean ~ 0.5-1.1) and laevigatins (mean ~ 0.2-0.6%). Free ellagic acid and glycosides of ellagic and methylellagic acids are secondary components.Underground parts of tormentil are a source of oligomeric proanthocyanidins and ellagitannins, but in smaller quantity of gallotannins. Monogalloylquinic acids are new identified compounds, which had not been described in Potentilla tormentilla before we started our research. In the analysed tormentil tinctures agrimoniin concentration is lower in relation to other tannins.

Raspberries, derived from different cultivar varieties, are a popular ingredient of everyday diet, and their biological activity is a point of interest for researchers. The ethanol–water extracts from four varieties of red (Rubus idaeus ‘Ljulin’, ‘Veten’, ‘Poranna Rosa’) and black (Rubus occidentalis ‘Litacz’) raspberries were evaluated in the range of their antimicrobial properties as well as phenolic content – sanguiin H-6, free ellagic acid and anthocyanins. The antimicrobial assay was performed with the use of fifteen strains of bacteria, both Gram-negative and Gram-positive. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts varied and depended on the analysed strain of bacteria and cultivar variety, with the exception of Helicobacter pylori, towards which the extracts displayed the same growth inhibiting activity. Two human pathogens Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Moraxella catarrhalis proved to be the most sensitive to raspberry extracts. Contrary to the extracts, sanguiin H-6 and ellagic acid were only active against eight and nine bacterial strains, respectively. The determined MIC and MBC values of both compounds were several times lower than the tested extracts. The highest sensitivity of Corynebacterium diphtheriae to extracts from both black and red raspberries may be due to its sensitivity to sanguiin H-6 and ellagic acid.

Six natural polyphenolic compounds, brevifolin carboxylic acid, brevifolin, ellagic acid, methyl gallate, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid have been isolated from the methanol extract of the whole plant of Erodium cicutarium (L.) L.’Herit. (Geraniaceae). Structures were determined by conventional methods of analysis and confirmed by MS and NMR spectral analysis. The distribution of these compounds in the other species of the Erodium genera (E. botrys, E. chium, E. ciconium, E. cicutarium, E. glutinosum subsp. dunense, E. gruinum, E. manescavi, E. pelargoniiflorum, E. petraeum ) were examined by HPLC with a RP-18 column, and MGD-TLC methods on unmodified silica gel and silica gel chemically modified with polar and nonpolar groups (HPTLC-Si 60 LiChrospher, HPTLC-NH2, HPTLC-DIOL, HPTLC RP-18W).

HPLC and HPTLC methods were used for a qualitative and quantitative determination of luteolin-7-O-β-glucuronide, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid and mthyl rosmarinate, together with other known compounds, in commercial herbal drugs and spices from lamiaceous species: Thymi herba, Serpylli herba and Majoranae herba. The contents of analyzed compounds in the studied hydrophilic extracts, prepared form herbal sources, were established using a C18 column with acetonitrile-water-formic acid as a mobile phase. The HPLC method was validated for linearity, precision and accuracy. Luteolin-7-O-β-glucuronide and lithospermic acid were identified as new wild thyme constituents, luteolin-7-O-β-glucuronide and methyl rosmarinate as new compounds in sweet marjoram. Methyl rosmarinate was isolated for the first time from thyme. The investigated herbal drugs and spices provide polyphenols in high amounts, even up to 84.3mg per 1g of a dried herb.

The primary aim of this work was to determine the interactions of an oxindole alkaloid (mitraphylline) isolated from Uncaria tomentosa with β-amyloid 1-40 (Aβ1-40 protein) apply­ing the capillary electrophoresis (CE) method. Specifically the Hummel-Dreyer method and Scatchard analysis were performed to study the binding of oxindole alkaloids with Aβ1-40 protein. Prior to these studies extraction of the alkaloid of interest was carried out. Identifica­tion of the isolated alkaloid was performed by the use of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The proposed approach was proved to be an efficient and accurate method for specific compound isolation and identification purposes. Moreover, ana­lytical information from the CE approach can be considered as the valuable tool for binding constant determination. The binding constant of mitraphylline with Aβ1-40 protein deter­mined by the Hummel-Dreyer method and Scatchard analysis equals K = 9.95 x 105 m-1. The results obtained showed the significant binding of the tested compound with Aβ1-40 protein. These results are discussed and interpreted in the view of developing a strategy for identifica­tion of novel compounds of great importance in Alzheimer disease therapy.

Erratum Erratum to ‘‘Determination of polyphenolic compounds in commercial herbal drugs and spices from lamiaceae: thyme, wild thyme and sweet marjoram by chromatographic techniques” [Food Chem. 108 (3) (2008) 1039–1053] Izabela Fecka *, Sebastian Turek Department of Pharmacognosy, Wroclaw Medical University, pl. Nankieral, 50-140 Wroclaw, Poland The Publisher regrets an error in the publication of the above manuscript. The correct Figures 2 and 3 are provided below, and the publisher apologises for this error.

The antioxidant level of commercial tinctures from three Lamiaceae plants, Salvia officinalis, Mentha piperita, and Melissa officinalis, have been determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, the 2.2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydracyl hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging technique and ABTS assay. Total phenolic content was expressed as GAE (gallic acid equivalent) and ranged from 0.24 to 3.99 mg/mL. Antioxidant activity in the ABTS assay, calculated as TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), ranged from 23.5 to 35.6 μmol Trolox/mL, while in the DPPH method, the EC50 value ranged from 0.04 to 0.07 mL/assay. Radical scavenging activity was correlated with total phenolic content. Correlations between ABTS and F-C methods, DPPH and F-C methods and ABTS and DPPH methods were calculated. The obtained results can be useful as additional information about the antioxidant activity of galenical preparations.

The genus Achillea L. includes more than 100 species and is a polyploid complex of di-, tetra-, hexa- and octaploids, individuals

Cytotoxic effect of natural 5-n-alkylresorcinol fraction, individual homologs and some related compounds (resorcinol, orcinol and olivetol) was tested in vitro against mouse fibroblast cell line L929 in terms of their safety for use according to PN-EN ISO 10993-5:2009 method. Alkylresorcinol-rich fraction and five known individual alkylresorcinol homologs (C17:0, C19:0 C21:0, C23:0 and C25:0) were obtained from spelt (Triticum spelta L.) bran. The structures of these compounds were elucidated and confirmed by using two spectroscopic techniques: MS and NMR. Hydroquinone, positional isomer of resorcinol, was used as cytotoxic positive control. Cytotoxicity was expressed as IC50 and was estimated in the range of 171–2142 µM for individual homologs depending on alkyl chain length. Alkylresorcinol-rich fraction, individual homologs, orcinol and olivetol exhibited cytotoxicity lower than hydroquinone but higher than resorcinol on normal cells. The highest cytotoxicity among isolated compounds was evaluated for C17:0. Structure–activity relationship was dose dependent and can be described by quadratic function. This study extends our knowledge about potential safety of use of alkylresorcinols in diet supplements, cosmetics or pharmaceutical products.