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Background: Ilex asprella (Hook. Et Arn.) Champ. Ex Benth. is one of the representative medicinal plants that naturally grows in South China. It serves as a major component of herbal tea as an aid for sore throat, toothache, and acne, and it is a folk medicine for treating upper respiratory tract inflammation resulting from fever, infectious hepatitis, and enteritis. Objective: To evaluate the quality of Ilex asprella, the bioactive components were identified comprehensively using quadruple time-of-flight (Q-TOF) MS, and the HPLC method for quality evaluation was established for the first time. Methods: Detection was conducted under the positive electrospray ionization mode with the 110 V fragment voltage and 4.0 kV capillary voltage for the ultra-performance LC–Q-TOF MS study. A Thermo Fisher C18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm) associated with the 0.10% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phase and gradient elution was carried out for separation process, and the HPLC quality evaluation was detected at a wavelength of 340 nm. Results: The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization regulation including LOQ, LOD, recovery, replication, precision, and linearity. The contents of five components were important for quality evaluation of Ilex asprella. Moreover, luteoloside and quercitrin had more significant impact than others. Conclusions: A specific accurate method has been proposed for the identification of the bioactive components and applied to simultaneous quantification analysis of five components in Ilex asprella. Highlights: The quality evaluation of Ilex asprella established based on its bioactive components can provide a solid promotion for applications of Ilex asprella in food and drug fields.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T15:53:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Key message: Calcium accumulation in crystals (mainly in the midrib) and silicon on the external surface of the upper epidermis suggests physiological and/or ecological roles. Abstract: Concentration, form, and location of elements in leaf tissue of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. can influence remobilization patterns and release of substances during its infusion for making yerba mate beverages. Even though, spatial distribution of elements and characterization of crystal formation in I. paraguariensis has not been elucidated. For filling this gap, this study used microanalytical techniques to evaluate accumulation and spatial distribution of elements in yerba mate leaves, which was done using chemical analyses and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). Chemical analyses confirmed high concentrations of potassium (K) and manganese (Mn) in leaves. Cell walls were predominantly composed of carbon (C) and oxygen (O). Compartmentalization of silicon (Si) occurred on the external surface of the upper epidermis between cell walls and the leaf cuticle. Precipitation of calcium (Ca) was higher in the midrib than in the leaf blade with the mesophyll and palisade mesophyll being the main accumulation sites. Microscopy–spectroscopy analysis revealed different patterns of elemental accumulation in leaves, which suggests physiological and/or ecological roles in yerba mate plants. Additionally, the abundance of Ca oxalates could explain the low Ca solubility during the beverage infusion process. Department of Agronomy Ingá University Center (Uningá), Highway PR 317, 6114-Industrial Park 200 Department of Soils and Agricultural Engineering Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) Biosystems Engineering São Paulo State University (UNESP) University of Brasília PPGCA/FUP National Soil Dynamics Laboratory United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Biosystems Engineering São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the acute toxicity and antidiabetic activity of Asystacia gangetica leaf ethanol extract. Design/methodology/approach The study was designed as completely randomized in vivo experimental model. Where acute toxicity study was carried out using 30 albino mice, randomly assigned into six groups of five mice each. Toxicity signs and mortality were observed in the rats within a period of 24 h. The acute and sub-acute antidiabetic study was carried out using 50 rats, randomly assigned into five groups of 10 rats each. The rats’ blood glucose levels were determined and used to assess the acute and sub-acute antidiabetic activity of the extract. Findings Results obtained from the acute toxicity study indicated no death in any of the study groups, even at 5,000 mg/kg body weight and showed no signs of toxicity. The acute antidiabetic study showed that treatment with 400 mg/kg of the extract significantly (p = 0.01) lowered glucose level in the diabetic rats from 430.6 to 177.4 mg/dl while 800 mg/kg brought down glucose level from 370 to 144.2 mg/dl by the end of 6 h following administration when compared with the diabetic control group. It was observed that the effect of the extract mostly at 800 mg/kg also compared favorably with that of the standard drug (glibenclamide), which lowered glucose level in diabetic rats from 374.2 to 176.4 mg/dl. Furthermore, the significant reduction was evident from 4, 2 and 2 h for 400 mg/kg extract, 800 mg/kg extract and 5 mg/kg glibenclamide, respectively. At sub-acute level the blood glucose was lowered from 155.6 to 127.2 mg/dl, 137 to 124.4 mg/dl and 151.8 to 121.8 mg/dl for diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg glibenclamide, respectively, when compared to the diabetic untreated rats, which ranged from 417.6 to 358.6 mg/dl. The biochemical profile, lipid profile and hematological examination were all positively restored near to normal with the herbal treatment at the different doses. At histopathology level, the liver of the rats treated with 400 mg/kg had moderate portal inflammation without interface or lobular hepatitis while that of 800 mg/kg showed severe portal inflammation with the interface and lobular hepatitis with extensive confluents necrosis. The pancreatic cells of the treated rat showed no significant difference in the β-cells of the islets of Langerhans with hyperplasia of the acinar cell when compared to the diabetic untreated. Research limitations/implications The record of no death and signs of toxicity implies that the extract is safe for consumption even at a high dosage of 5,000 mg/kg body weight. The significant (p = 0.01) reduction in the plasma glucose level of the treated rats as compared to the control is an indication of blood glucose-lowering potential of the extract at two different doses. The significant reduction evident of the extract at different hours and days for the two doses implies that the extract rate of lowering potentials is dose-dependent. The evidence of moderate-severe portal inflammation with the interface and lobular hepatitis at 800 mg/kg treatment is an indication that the intake of this herb at high dosage for long period is not safe for the liver tissue. Practical implications The outcome of this study suggested that the Asystacia gangetica should also be used as a vegetable in-home food preparation and food processing to use its antidiabetic effect. The herbal extract could also be incorporated into a food product and processed into herbal tea bag for convenient. The subjection of this herbal plant to heat treatment during processing could be a possible avenue to make it safe. Social implications The economic burden and complications of diabetes mellitus management will be reduced if the practical implication of this research finding is implemented in foods as vegetable and in functional food production. Originality/value This study revealed that Asystacia gangetica leaf extract may be safe and effective for use at a low dose for acute management of diabetes mellitus. This research may be of value to those living with diabetes mellitus.

The present work summarises preliminary results of an ethnobotanical study in the Rhodope Mountains. The aim was to assess the traditional home use of medicinal plants for herbal tea by local people and to estimate the threats to the Balkan endemic Clinopodiumdalmaticum. Semi-structured interviews with local informants from 15 localities in Central and Eastern Rhodope Mountains were performed in 2015 and 2018. As a result, the most used plant species were listed. The major source of plants was recorded as being gathered from the wild. The plants, known with the local names “wild mint” and “white mint”, were identified as Clinopodiumdalmaticum from dried specimens presented by informants in Central Rhodopes. A frequent collection from wild populations of C.dalmaticum in Central Rhodope Mts. (Smoljan region) was revealed along with just a few cases of cultivation close to the studied sites.

This study was conducted to investigate the integration of biological and psychological factors that occurred in horticultural therapy for cancer patients. Through this study, we can infer how the process of internalization generates the psychological outcome in horticultural therapy programs for cancer patients. In the process of making and raising grass dolls some patients noted that “when the grass doll had no grass at all, all my hair had fallen out, but while the grass was sprouting, my hair began to regrow”. Similarly, they stated that “I had mixed emotions when I looked at the hair of the grass doll, because chemotherapy for cancer was over now, and my hair was growing”. They recognized that their grass doll resembled their own selves and their experience of hair loss and hair regrowth in the process of chemotherapy. We can infer from this that cancer patients identify with hair growth and hope, such as growth, development, and recovery. In the program, cancer patients also trimmed the roots of herbal plants such as lavender and rosemary during transplanting. Horticultural therapists explained that trimming unnecessary roots helped the growth of stems, leaves, and new roots. The therapists then gave clients the opportunity to consider negative thoughts or feelings which needed to be trimmed within themselves. Transplanted herbal plants were managed and nurtured by the clients, and their harvested and dried leaves were used to make herbal tea. In the process of those activities some patients found a lot of benefit: “I felt purification of body and mind, and elimination of miscellaneous thoughts while making herb tea. Even a small plant smells nice. I should be a person who has a good and beautiful fragrance.” The results suggest that cancer patients recognized the disease experience as personal growth. Horticultural therapists can use these findings as a basic reference to guide and support their clients in their programs.

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, reflected by aberrantly increased levels of various serological antibodies, has been suggested to be an early indicator of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) onset and progression. We have previously suggested that certain lifestyle and dietary factors were associated with elevated serological levels of the antibody against various EBV antigens namely VCA, Zta, EBNA1, and oral EBV DNA loads among healthy population. It remains unclear whether these potential environmental factors would also influence EBV serological antibodies in NPC patients. We conducted an epidemiological study to evaluate the associations between such environmental factors and EBV antibody levels among 1701 NPC patients in South China. Pretreatment serums were collected and examined for VCA‐IgA and EA‐IgA by immunoenzymatic assays and antienzyme rate (AER) of EBV DNase‐specific neutralizing antibody. We found that consumption of Canton‐style herbal tea was significantly correlated with increased serological antibody levels of VCA‐IgA and EA‐IgA, with adjusted ORs of 1.35 (95% CI: 1.03‐1.76) and 1.32 (95% CI: 1.01‐1.73), respectively, in the weekly intake frequency stratum, while not related to AER of EBV DNase‐specific neutralizing antibody. Smoking was found to be not only an apparent risk factor for higher antibody levels of AER in stage III‐IV patients (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.11‐2.30), but also associated closely with NPC stage at diagnosis (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.47‐3.22), with dose‐response effects. In conclusion, we found consumption of Canton‐style herbal tea and cigarette smoking were in positive associations with elevated EBV antibodies in NPC patients, which may be of public health significance for the primary prevention of EBV‐associated diseases especially NPC.

Linden, a popularly consumed product, is prepared by different methods like infusion and decoction for treating diseases in children and adults. Due to linden’s effective compounds and its sweeteni...

Background Green tea has polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins; mainly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC), out of which EGCG is of higher abundance. EGCG has shown preventive role in hypercholesterolemia. However, due to low oral bioavailability, a need arises to improve its membrane permeability and transporter-mediated intestinal efflux. Therefore, an attempt was made to enhance permeability and bioavailability of EGCG using curcumin to treat hyperlipidemia. Further, it was formulated in herbal tea bags to achieve patient compliance. Methods EGCG extracted from green tea leaves was confirmed by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography. Green tea extract (GTE), curcumin and their mixtures were subjected to Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry for compatibility studies. Powder formulation was prepared comprising GTE, curcumin, sucralose and cardamom. Results Ex-vivo study was performed on everted goat intestine, analyzed by HPLC and demonstrated highest permeation of GTE:curcumin (220:50) (53.15%) than GTE (20.57%). Antihyperlipidemic activity was performed in rats for 15 days. Blood sample analysis of rats of test groups (formulation and GTE solution) fed on high fat diet showed (mg/dl):cholesterol 80 and 90, triglycerides 73.25 and 85.5, HDL 50.75 and 46, LDL 43.9 and 46, VLDL 14.65 and 17.1 respectively with significant lipid regulating effect. Conclusion Curcumin enhanced permeability of EGCG. Therefore, P-glycoprotein pump inside intestine can be potential mechanism to enhance permeability of EGCG. Thus, EGCG-curcumin herbal tea bag is promising nutraceutical to treat hyperlipidemia in day-to-day life achieving patient compliance.

The phytochemical characteristics of alien species have not yet been fully studied. Meanwhile, the reserves of their raw materials in the secondary distribution range are very large and can be used as new sources of functional ingredients for food, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and medicines. Particular attention is attracted by species which have closely related native plants that are included in the official pharmacopeia. Solidago canadensis L. in Slovakia has already formed powerful thickets, and a similar species Solidago virgaurea L. is used as a medicinal plant. The goal of our study is to examine biologically active compounds from leaves and inflorescences of Solidago canadensis collected in some invasive populations along the Nitra river and Gron river. Leaves and inflorescences of 3 populations have been taken for analysis. In addition, we tested herbal tea was made by a traditional procedure using 2 types of fermentation. The following parameters have been understudying: total dry matter, ash and protein content, total lipid, saccharides, vitamin C content, total carotenoid content, amino acids content, elemental analysis, and antioxidant activity. Mean values and variations of these parameters are given in the article. The results demonstrated that S. canadensis can be a valuable raw material resource for many sectors of the economy with the possibility of its wider application in the future.

Chrysanthemum plants besides being used as ornamental plants and cut flowers can also be useful in the world of health, namely as herbal tea. The parts of the plants used are leaves, flowers or both at once. The addition of different light colors in chrysanthemum plants is expected to improve the quality of chrysanthemum tea by increasing antioxidant compounds in chrysanthemum leaves. This study aims to determine the effect of the addition of different light colors on the growth and content of antioxidant compounds in the leaves of these plants. This research using Complete Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 4levels with 5 replications. The treatments given were 4 different colors namely white (W1), red (W2), yellow (W3), blue (W4). Observation data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), if there was a significant difference, then Duncan's Multiple Distance Test was conducted at 95% confidence level. The addition of different light colors had a very significant effect on total fresh weight, leaf fresh weight, fresh weight of stover and antioxidant activity then significantly affected plant height, total dry weight, leaf dry weight and dry weight of stover. But the number of leaves shows an unreal effect. The results showed that the addition of blue and yellow light colors had the highest effect on the content of antioxidant compounds.

Rooibos tea ( Aspalathus linearis) is a well-known South African herbal tea enjoyed worldwide. Limited reports indicate the potential of rooibos tea to alter the activity of certain cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isozymes. In this study, the phytochemical investigation of MeOH extract of A. linearis (leaves and stems) resulted in the isolation and characterization of 11 phenolic compounds. The MeOH extract exhibited significant inhibition of the major human CYP450 isozymes (CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19). The strongest inhibition was observed by the extract for CYP3A4 (IC50 1.7 ± 0.1 μg/mL) followed by CYP2C19 (IC50 4.0 ± 0.3 μg/mL). Among the tested phytochemicals, the most potent inhibitors were isovitexin on CYP3A4 (IC50 3.4 ± 0.2 μM), vitexin on CYP2C9 (IC50 8.0 ± 0.2 μM), and thermopsoside on CYP2C19 (IC50 9.5 ± 0.2 μM). The two major, structurally related compounds aspalathin and nothofagin exhibited a moderate pregnane-X receptor (PXR) activation, which was associated with increased mRNA expression of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2, respectively. These results indicate that a high intake of nutraceuticals containing rooibos extracts may pose a risk of herb-drug interactions when consumed concomitantly with clinical drugs that are substrates of CYP enzymes.

Over the last two decades there has been a substantial increase of the number of studies on the species of genus Sideritis. Species of section Empedoclia, occurring in the Eastern Mediterranean region and in part of Western Asia possess some remarkable characteristics and are known as valuable medicinal plants used by local people in the traditional medicine and for herbal tea. The objective of the review is to make a survey on the recent studies on the ethnopharmacology and biological activity of the species in Southeastern Europe and in Turkey, which is the center of distribution and their main occurrence.The review focuses on the ethnopharmacology and biological activities of the species of interest. The survey revealed that a total of 47 species belonging to section Empedoclia have been studied either in ethnopharmacological aspect, or in relation to their biological activities, or both. Most species have been used traditionally by the local people as herbal tea or for treatment of various health problems, most frequently flu, cold and respiratory diseases. Sideritis species demonstrate numerous biological activities and are promising for use in the therapy of many diseases and health disorders. Antioxidant activity was found in 40 species, antimicrobial and antibacterial activity - in 27 species, anti-inflammatory - in 14 species, antifungal - in 8 species, cytotoxic - in 7 species. There were also some other, more specific biological activities, found in a few species, but considered promising for further studies and application.The species of genus Sideritis, section Empedoclia have been used by local people as herbal tea and in traditional medicine since long time ago. People are taking advantage of the high species diversity and are aware of their useful properties. Much more information is available on the biological activities of the target species than on their traditional uses. Most species demonstrate various biological activities and are of substantial interest for further studies on their pharmacological properties and their potential for pharmacy and medicine. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of traditional uses and biological activities of some Sideritis species. Arrows with different colors represent biological activities of different species. The species and their corresponding color can be seen at the right part of the figure. The colors correspond also to the squares placed in the different parts of human body.

Peptic ulcer disease therapy includes schemes for the use of a number of drugs; most of them are synthetic with many side effects and contraindications. Therefore, the search for alternative herbal medicines with the anti-inflammatory and reparative action in the treatment of peptic ulcer is pathogenetically justified and relevant since herbal medicinal products are characterized by a wide range of pharmacological properties and high safety with sufficient efficiency. Aim. To study the antiulcer activity of the lyophilized extract of the fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) herb when gastric lesion in rats simulated with the ethanol-prednisolone mixture. Materials and methods. Gastroprotective properties of the lyophilized extract of fireweed herb were studied on the model of acute ulcer of the stomach in rats; it was simulated by intragastric administration of the mixture of prednisolone in the dose of 20 mg/kg and 80 % ethanol in the dose of 6 ml/kg. By the method generally used the blood serum was obtained for biochemical examination, the stomach was removed, cut along a low curvature, and the condition of the gastric mucosa was assessed using a loupe. The ulcerous index and the anti-ulcer activity were calculated, the content of TBA of active products, the activity of catalase, the content of reduced glutathione and succinate dehydrogenase were determined. Results. It was found that the lyophilized extract of fireweed herb in the dose of 20 mg/kg significantly stimulated reparative processes in the areas of the ulcer defect. The degree of lesion of the mucous membrane of the stomach in all animals with visible changes in the state of the mucous membrane corresponded to 1 point (only edema, the absence of folding and/or 1-2 small ulcerations were observed); the ulcerative index compared to animals of control pathology decreased by an average of 4.3 times. The antiulcer activity of the extract studied was 49 %. The lyophilized extract of fireweed herb normalized lipid peroxidation processes at the organ level. Conclusions. On the model of ethanol-prednisolone damage of the stomach in rats the fireweed herb showed the antiulcer effect, which was not inferior to the action of the reference drug – the herbal tea “Gastrofit” by its intensity.

In this study twelve trace elements were investigated in herbal tea commercialized in Brazil. Boldo, Chamomile, Mate and Peppermint tea samples were acquired in Brazil local markets and both herbs and their infusions were evaluated. Trace elements were classified in two groups: poorly (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb and Se) and moderately (Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn) extractable. This patterned showed that even levels above threshold established by Brazilian and MERCOSUR regulations were observed in herbal tea (Cd and Pb in 89% and 78% of mate and peppermint tea samples, respectively), their infusions did not presented toxic levels. The estimative of exposure and dietary intake revealed important values for a daily consumption of a single cup of herbal infusion and an unique composition was also verified for herbal tea samples: although age and origin was unavailable, multivariate analysis classified the samples in four distinct groups.

In an investigation into the historical use of various plant species as herbal teas in South Africa and the commercialization of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), 37 tea samples from a depository of 1933 were analysed. These samples are known as the Nortier collection and were put in the depository by Benjamin Ginsberg. Nortier and Ginsberg were instrumental in the commercialisation of Rooibos tea. Liquid-chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) was used with electrospray ionisation (ESI) in negative mode to compare the flavonoids and phenolic acids and identify marker compounds in the samples. The positively identified marker compounds together with multivariate data tools were used to distinguish between the different teas and group similar ones together. The LC–HRMS chromatogram of the 1933 Nortier tea, the tea from which cultivated rooibos emanated, is virtually identical to a commercial cultivated tea from 2016. The selection of teas is an interesting look into the history of herbal tea in South Africa, the species used and the decision-making process of Nortier in developing the industry. The historic “reed tea” (riettee) was identified for the first time as Thesium macrostachyum and other Thesium species and is the same as the tea that is still used in the Wupperthal area as “lidjiestee”.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine treatment for insomnia has been sought due to the possible adverse effects of conventional pharmacotherapies. We performed a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility of using, and of the effect of a herbal tea (HT002), based on Traditional East Asian Medicine, in mild-to-moderate insomnia. Methods: Patients (n = 40) with mild-to-moderate insomnia were randomized to the HT002 (n = 20) or waitlist (n = 20) groups. The HT002 group consumed HT002 twice daily for 4 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks. Results: The ISI score differences from baseline at weeks 4 and 8 were significantly greater in the HT002 than that in the waitlist group (week 4: −4.0 ± 0.8 vs. −0.4 ± 0.8, p

The bitter taste of Cyclopia genistoides infusions is unacceptable to consumers, who are used to the slightly sweet taste of the herbal teas produced from other Cyclopia species. Bitter taste intensities of crude phenolic fractions of a bitter hot water extract of C. genistoides were determined by a trained panel to identify the fraction contributing most to the bitter taste. Fractions, enriched in benzophenones (B), xanthones (X) and flavanones (F), and each tested at their infusion equivalent concentration (IEC) scored 5, 31 and 13 (on a 100-point scale), respectively. Fraction B, containing mostly iriflophenone glucosides, was perceived as not bitter. The major xanthone in fraction X, mangiferin, was significantly (p 0.05) more bitter than its regio-isomer, isomangiferin, at equal concentration. A mixture of isomangiferin and mangiferin at their IECs was significantly (p 0.05) less bitter than the mangiferin solution alone, indicating bitter suppression by isomangiferin.

Sideritis trojana Bornm. is an endemic plant in Turkey, which is widely consumed as refreshing herbal tea, and used in traditional medicine. This study was designed to elucidate the effect of extraction methods including infusion, decoction, ultrasonic assisted and chemical extraction on phenolic profile, enzyme inhibition and antioxidant capacity. Alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes were tooled for assessing the antidiabetic activity, while HPLC-DAD method was used for the analysis of phenolic compounds. Besides, different methods were applied to the samples to understand their antioxidant activity. Results indicated that there is no considerable difference between infusion and decoction forms of S. trojana in terms parameters mentioned above. The chemical extraction method provided the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity. In conclusion, S. trojana can be assumed as a good source of phenolic compounds with considerable antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition capacity. © 2018 South African Association of Botanists

We analyzed microbe contamination of 54 tea samples (Camellia sp.), black and green one, including those with various additives, and tea infusions, including herbal ones. Tea that was not packed (semi-finished product) came from the following regions: India, Indonesia, Sri-Lanka, Vietnam, Kenya, China; packed tea was bought in retail outlets in the RF. Overall, 83.3 % samples of unpacked tea conformed to microbiological standards as per mold fungi; 16.7 % samples that didn't conform to them contained mold fungi in quantities equal to 1.3–8.2•103 CFU/g. We detected discrepancies in quantities of mold fungi in samples with different fraction structure of tea (in average CFU/g): large-leaved tea contained 2,3•102 CFU/g; middle-leaved, 7,4х102; small-leaved (including tea dust), 1,7•103. All packed tea samples (Camellia sp.), including those with additives, conformed to the requirements fixed by the existing standards. Aspergillus niger mold fungi prevailed in examined tea (Camellia sp.). We revealed substantial microbe contamination in herbal teas; 55 % samples didn't conform to the existing standards and contained more than 104-6 CFU/g of mold fungi. Besides, 72.2 % of these samples contained more than 105-8 CFU/g of bacteria; 62.5 % samples of herbal teas that conformed to the standards were contaminated with great quantities of bacteria equal to 8•105 – 2•108 CFU/g. We detected Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Fusarium in herbal teas microflora; they were producers of hazardous mycotoxins, including emergent ones, and it could potentially cause contamination of herbal teas with mycotoxins. These data will be applied in future to identify hazards caused by mycotoxic fungi in tea and tea infusions as well as to update existing standards.

Complementary medicine (CM) is used by one third to one half of cancer patients throughout the world. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of CM use and the potential for interactions with cancer treatments in an academic oncology centre. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients undergoing current cancer treatment. Among 132 included patients, 56% had used CM since their cancer diagnosis and 45% were using CM during cancer treatment at the time of the survey. The main CM used were green tea (35%), herbal tea (35%), homeopathy (27%), dietary supplements (27%), and herbal medicines (27%). A small majority of patients (58%) spontaneously mentioned the use of CM to their oncologist. Of 42 identified combinations of concomitant use of biologically based CM and anticancer agents among the study patients, the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions of clinical relevance was not expected in 17 combinations (40%), hypothetical and deemed unlikely in 23 (55%), and of probable low clinical relevance in 2 (5%). Considering the high prevalence of CM use, active enquiries should be made by healthcare professionals to detect symptoms that may relate to CM tolerance and effects or that suggest interactions between CM and cancer treatments.

PubMedID: 30758196 Infusion-induced changes in the aroma and key odorants and their odor activity values of Iranian endemic herbal (Gol-Gavzaban) tea obtained from shade-dried violet-blue petals of borage (Echium amoenum) were studied for the first time. Two hot teas and one cold tea were investigated and coded as 4MN (4 min/98 °C), 16MN (16 min/98 °C), and 24HR (24 h/ambient temperature), respectively. Aromatic extracts of the tea samples were isolated by the liquid-liquid extraction method and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O) for the first time. According to the results of the aroma profiling, a total of 35 common aroma compounds comprising alcohols, acids, volatile phenols, lactones, aldehydes, ketone, pyrroles, and furans were identified and quantified in the tea samples. Indeed, it is worth noting that the aroma profiles of the borage teas were similar. However, the effects of the infusion techniques were clearly different as observed on the content of each individual and total compounds in the samples. The highest mean total concentration was detected in 24HR (266.0 mg/kg), followed by 16MN (247.1 mg/kg) and 4MN (216.1 mg/kg). 1-Penten-3-ol was the principal volatile component in all borage teas. On the basis of the result of the flavor dilution (FD) factors, a combined total of 22 different key odorants was detected. The potential key odorants with regard to FD factors in all samples were prevailingly alcohols, acids, and terpenes. The highest FD factors were observed in 2-hexanol (2048 in 4MN and 24HR; 1024 in 16MN) and 1-penten-3-ol (2048 in 24HR; 1024 in 4MN and 16MN) in samples providing herbal and green notes. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the tea samples could clearly be discriminated in terms of their aroma profiles and key odorants. The findings of the current study demonstrate that the tea preparation conditions have a significant impact on the organoleptic quality of borage tea. Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society.

Functional foods are of great importance which are used to ensure improvements in human health by all aspects. A potential functional food was prepared with five different formulations A, B, C, D and E by using different combination of basil leaf, peppermint leaf and green cardamom to control hypertension. The raw material used for formulation wAS collected from the local market of Shahdara Lahore in September 2017. Selection of raw materials was totally based on the availability of specified bioactive components which can control hypertension. Formulations A, B, C, D and E were sensory evaluated. The overall acceptability for formulation A was 5/10, B was 6/10, C was 8/10, D was 9/10 and E was 7/10. On the basis of sensory analysis, formulation D was selected. For preliminary analysis, ethanolic and ethyl acetate fraction of basil leaf was prepared. Standard methods of phytochemical analysis were performed to identify flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenolics and antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity was measured by using DPPH assay. Quercetin was used as standard. Results were statistically analyzed which showed that IC50 (µg/mL) value of ethyl acetate fraction (389.00±0.99) was higher than the ethanolic extract (1372.00±6.32) of the basil leaf. On the basis of phytochemical analysis and DPPH assay. We formulated herbal tea that showed promising antioxidant properties. Characterization of food product proved it as potentially beneficial dietary supplement and hence recommended as potential functional food for hypertension. Keywords: Hypertension; Functional food; DPPH; Sensory Evaluation and Antioxidant activity.

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death in the US. Herbal teas and spices may reduce the incidence of chronic diseases, including colon cancer. The objectives of this study were to determine the chemopreventive effects of herbal teas and cinnamon in an in-vitro cell model and to evaluate the inhibitory effects of selected extracts on enzymes associated with inflammatory disease. Effects of raspberry leaf (0.5 - 2.0 mg/mL), strawberry leaf (0.4 - 1.0 mg/mL), hibiscus flower (4.0 - 10.0 mg/mL) and cinnamon (400 - 1500 μg/mL) were evaluated for cytotoxicity, induction of caspase and DNA fragmentation in colon cancer (Caco-2) cells to determine possible chemopreventive effects. Effects of extracts on inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were also measured to determine possible anti-inflammatory potential. Caco-2 cells were obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. As concentrations of tea increased, LDH release from Caco-2 cells increased, with cytotoxicity ranging from 1% - 80% (hibiscus flower 1.0 mg/mL and strawberry leaf (1.0 mg/mL) for teas. All extract concentrations of herbal teas and cinnamon were able to enhance caspase-3 activity with lowest activity (4.4 mmol/ min/mL) observed in the lowest concentration of cinnamon (400 μg/mL) and highest activity (6.0 mmol/min/mL) seen in the highest concentration of raspberry leaf (2 mg/mL). Tea and spice extracts were able to induce apoptosis in Caco-2 cells exhibited by increased DNA fragmentation (expressed as enrichment factor). Enrichment factor ranged from 1.0 - 1.5 (raspberry leaf 1.0 mg/mL and hibiscus 10.0 mg/mL). Teas and cinnamon exhibited anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting COX-2 by 0.6% - 8.0% (raspberry leaf 1.0 mg/mL and strawberry leaf 0.8 mg/mL). The results suggest that herbal teas and cinnamon may have significant benefits in chemoprevention.

According to legislation of EU, as well as of our country, herbal medicinal products (HMPs) and traditional herbal medicinal products (THMPs) are categories of medicinal products. As active ingredients, they contain herbal drugs (herbal substances) and/or herbal drug preparations (herbal preparations). HMPs are authorized based on proved quality, clinical efficacy and safety. THMPs are registered based on proved quality and sufficient data on traditional use (acceptable safety level and plausible efficacy). The Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) publishes EU herbal monographs, which comprise preclinical and clinical data on HMPs with well-established use (WEU), as well as data on traditional use (TU) for THMPs. HMPC also develops drafts of EU list entries for THMPs, which are adopted and their final versions are published by the European Commission. By the end of July 2019, HMPC issued 160 final monographs, which are available on the EMA website (157 monographs for 156 herbal drugs and herbal drug preparations, two monographs for two herbal drug combinations, and monograph for herbal tea combinations); EU list entries on 13 herbal drugs and preparations were finalized. This paper provides an overview of the therapeutic areas and indications approved in these final EU monographs. In addition, overview of HMPs and THMPs, which are authorized/registered in the Republic of Serbia is given.

Woundwort plants (Stachys species) are used traditionally as food additives, herbal tea, and medicine. At this work, antioxidant activity of S. cretica subsp. smyrnaea was comprehensively investigated using 6 different methods together with phenolic profile and total phenolics/flavonoids content of its several extracts. Moreover, key enzymes inhibitory potential of the herb associated with Alzheimer’s disease, hyperglycemia, and hyperpigmentation was evaluated. Promising antiradical activity (1.9–17.3 mg Trolox equivalents/g dry plant) and metal ion reducing power (4.6–14.6 mg Trolox equivalents/g dry plant) was recorded. Also, S. cretica manifested strong antityrosinase (2.45 mg kojic acid equivalent/g dry plant) and extraordinary anti-amylase and anti-glucosidase (6–61 and 14–47 mg acarbose equivalent/g dry plant, respectively) effects. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis identified 12 phenolic compounds of them, chlorogenic acid, hesperidin, kaempferol, apigenin, and benzoic acid were the most abundant (426, 407, 390, 216, and 188 μg/g dry plant, respectively). Findings indicated that, S. cretica has great potential for possible applications in cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

Candida albicans, one of the main pathogens in the oral cavity, is involved in the development of oral candidiasis. Various components of tea, and especially polyphenols, are believed to be effective against the growth of yeast or bacteria. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of polyphenols in Mongolian herbal tea on growth of C. albicans. Tea extract was prepared from Mongolian herbal tea and diluted with distilled water (DW) at concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50%. Distilled water was used as the control. Acidification of the medium was determined by measuring its pH; the presence of polyphenols by the Folin-Ciocalteau colorimetric method; and growth of C. albicans by absorbance at a wavelength of 630 nm at 0-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hr intervals. The pH of the medium was 5.2 to 5.27 in all experimental groups compared with 7.1 in the control group. Polyphenols were present in all experimental groups, and at significantly higher levels than in the control group. Growth of C. albicans showed a significant and time-dependent increase in the control and all experimental groups. Growth of C. albicans in all the experimental groups was higher than that in the control group. These results suggest that Mongolian herbal tea promotes the growth of C. albicans, despite the presence of polyphenols.

This study aimed to categorize Thai foods made from banana inflorescences and determine their antioxidant properties. An extensive literature review as well as a field survey with unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the consumption of banana inflorescences as foods. Antioxidant properties were assessed by total phenolic compounds, FRAP and DPPH assays. Thai foods made from banana inflorescences may be classified into 6 groups namely 1) fresh or side dishes 2) salads 3) soups and curries 4) deep fried dishes 5) stir fired dishes and 6) commercially processed banana inflorescence products. Antioxidant properties of the selected 16 banana inflorescence food recipes varied depending on their types. Fried recipes such as crispy fried and stir-fried banana inflorescences are among the dishes that exhibited high antioxidant properties. In contrast, some salads, steamed recipes, and banana inflorescence herbal tea showed the least antioxidant properties. This study reported the antioxidant properties of banana inflorescences in the form of real foods which could represent the real antioxidant capacity of consuming banana inflorescence as foods. As banana is cultivated worldwide, the findings in this study could help in promoting the consumption of banana inflorescence byproduct as foods.

As one program of Jakarta province government, integrated public space for friendly children in Kalideres West Jakarta begins with the social mapping activity to identify the need for indoor room and outdoor room in RPTRA Kalideres. One of indoor room built in RPTRA Kalideres is PKK Mart. PKK mart is built as storefront to put and promote innovative products and creativity of Kalideres citizen contributing to improve the familiy economics. One of excellent program in RPTRA Kalideres is cultivation of various herbal plants in the home garden. The herbal products are then dried in the form of Simplisia, packed simply and marketed in PKK Mart. Alternative product diversification of other herbal products are dried flour, herbal tea, herbal drink and herbal soap. The problem is that management of RPTRA Kalideres and PKK housewives have not owned the knowledge about business development of herbal plants based. The purpose of this community dedication is to develop the products of herbal plants based transparent soap. Training given consists of knowledge and skills to produce transparent herbal soap, packaging innovation, analysis of production cost and marketing innovation by using social media. The activity lasted for four months involving 35 candidates of enterprenour in region Kalideres. Result of evaluation showed that interest of the participants is quite high to develop enreprenourship including this transparent herbal soap. Design to develop enterprenourship of transparent herbal soap is integrated from raw products to finished products. They also increase innovation for developing products among the participants. The next step is finding partnership for the success of continuity for excellent program RPTRA Kalideres West Jakarta.

Cistus incanus is called a medicine herbal plant due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antiulcerogenic properties. Considering these unique properties, quantification of the bioactive compounds of its infusion by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is very important because of the rising consumption of this beverage. In this study the content of 28 phenolic compounds and theirs derivatives, alkaloids and vitamin B of water extract of Cistus incanus tea was examined and the results were compared with the results from other types of popular in the market teas. The Cistus incanus infusions were tested for content of flavanols, flavonols, organic acids, vitamin B and alkaloids and were compared with Camellia sinensis, Hoan Ngoc herbal tea and Rooibos infusions. Camellia sinensis infusions generally contained more catechins (1.56–82.65 mg/g) than Cistus incanus (1.02–2.73 mg/g) but there was no catechin-3-gallate in any Camellia sinensis infusions. Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline were found practically only in Camellia sinensis (6.22–14.19 mg/g) and Vietnamese herbal tea (2.97 mg/g) while trigonelline was found at higher concentrations in both Cistus incanus (6.29–14.34 μg/g) and Rooibos infusions (10.54–14.29 μg/g) than in Camellia sinensis infusions (0.30–2.88 μg/g). Principal component analysis revealed both similarities and differences among the infusions.

A simple method for arsenic species As (III), As (V), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsonic acid (DMA) were investigated in 18 herbal tea leaves and their infusion by high performance liquid chromatography hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). The proposed method presented absence of interconversion between the arsenic species and high sensitivity, being limits of detection and quantification 11 and 38 μg L−1 for herbal tea leaves and 0.20 and 0.66 μg L−1 for their infusions, respectively. About 28% samples present total arsenic levels above Brazilian and MERCOSUR maximum limits (0.6 mg kg−1). The estimative of exposure to inorganic arsenic was made taking into account the benchmark dose lower limit (BMDL05) considering the daily ingestion of one cup of herbal tea (200 mL) for adults (70 kg) and children (20 kg). Although this estimative demonstrates low exposure for adults (2.9% of BMDL05), for children, however, the daily consumption of a single cup of herbal tea can reach 10.3% of BMDL05 for inorganic arsenic.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale R.), lemon (Citrus limon L.) and mint (Mentha sp.) are commonly consumed medicinal plants that have been of interest due to their health benefits and purported antioxidant capacities. This study was conducted on the premise that no previous study has been performed to elucidate the antioxidant and phenolic profile of the ginger, lemon and mint herbal tea infusion (GLMT). The aim of the study was to investigate and characterise the phenolic contents of ginger, lemon, mint and GLMT, as well as determine their antioxidant potential. Mint recorded the highest total phenolic content, TPC (14.35 ± 0.19 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-e-thylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ABTS (24.25 ± 2.18 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g) antioxidant activity. GLMT recorded the highest antioxidant activity in the reducing power assay, RPA (1.01 ± 0.04 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g) and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, •OH-RSA (0.77 ± 0.08 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g). Correlation analysis showed that phenolic content positively correlated with the antioxidant activity. Venn diagram analysis revealed that mint contained a high proportion of exclusive phenolic compounds. Liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) characterised a total of 73 phenolic compounds, out of which 11, 31 and 49 were found in ginger, lemon and mint respectively. These characterised phenolic compounds include phenolic acids (24), flavonoids (35), other phenolic compounds (9), lignans (4) and stilbene (1). High-performance liquid chromatography photometric diode array (HPLC-PDA) quantification showed that GLMT does contain a relatively high concentration of phenolic compounds. This study presented the phenolic profile and antioxidant potential of GLMT and its ingredients, which may increase the confidence in developing GLMT into functional food products or nutraceuticals.

Vine tea has been used as a traditionally functional herbal tea in China for centuries, which exhibits paramount potential for chronic metabolic diseases. Herein, the inhibitory potential of vine tea toward human catechol-O-methyltransferase (hCOMT) was investigated. A practical bioactivity-guided fractionation combined with chemical profiling strategy was developed to identify the naturally occurring hCOMT inhibitors. Five flavonoids in vine tea displayed moderate to strong inhibition on hCOMT with IC50 values ranging from 0.96 μM to 42.47 μM, in which myricetin was the critically potent constituent against hCOMT. Inhibition kinetics assays and molecular docking simulations showed that myricetin could bind to the active site of COMT and inhibited COMT-catalyzed 3-BTD methylation in a mixed manner. Collectively, our findings not only suggested that the strong hCOMT inhibition of vine tea has guiding significance in the drug exposure of catechol drugs, but also identified a promising lead compound for developing more efficacious hCOMT inhibitors.

BackgroundInsufficient milk production is a common problem affecting breastfeeding women, in particular following Cesarean delivery. Wang Nam Yen herbal tea is a promising traditional Thai medicine used by postpartum women to stimulate milk production, as an alternative to pharmaceutical galactagogues. We aimed to compare the efficacy of Wang Nam Yen herbal tea, domperidone, and placebo, in increasing milk production in mothers who underwent Cesarean delivery.MethodsWomen who underwent uncomplicated cesarean delivery at Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital were randomized into three groups. The participants received the treatments daily for three consecutive days. The primary outcome was breast milk volume at 72 hours after delivery. Secondary outcomes were pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, adverse events, and participant satisfaction.ResultsOf the 1,450 pregnant women that underwent cesarean delivery, 120 women were enrolled. Their mean age and gestational ages were 28.7 years and 38.4 weeks, respectively. Breast milk volume at 72 hours postpartum was significantly different among the three groups (p = 0.030). The posthoc Bonferroni correction indicated a significant difference in breast milk volume between Wang Nam Yen herbal tea group and placebo control group (p = 0.007) while there was no difference between Wang Nam Yen herbal tea group and domperidone group (p = 0.806) and between domperidone group and placebo control group (p = 0.018). There was no difference in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, adverse events, and participant satisfaction among the three groups.ConclusionWang Nam Yen herbal tea was effective in augmenting breast milk production at 72 hours postpartum in mothers following cesarean delivery, and there was no evidence that herbal tea and domperidone differed in terms of augmenting breast milk production.Trial registrationThe study was approved by the institutional review board of Sunpasithiprasong Hospital (No.061/2559) and was registered TCTR20170811003 with the Thai Clinical Trial Registry.