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Peltate trichomes have been the focus of botanical research for decades as the main secretory structures responsible for the production of essential oil and other specialized metabolites. For this study, samples of the plant material were obtained from the collection of the Institute for Medicinal Plant Research “Dr. Josif Pančić”. This study was conducted to perform morphological characterization, determination of the diameter and analysis of the distribution of peltate trichomes on leaves and calyces of selected commercial Lamiaceae species. In addition, the density of peltate trichomes on the leaves was determined. The analyses were carried out using a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope. The leaves of all plant species bear peltate trichomes on the adaxial and abaxial leaf sides, with the highest density observed in Origanum heracleoticum (24.3 and 17.4 per mm2, re­spectively). Density was generally higher on the adaxial surface, with the exception of Mentha × piperita (higher density on the abaxial side) and Satureja montana (equal density on both leaf sides). The largest diameter of peltate trichomes was observed in leaves and calyces of S. montana (88.79 μm and 90.57 μm, respectively), while the smallest diameter was noticed in Origanum vulgare (about 65.00 μm). The plant species studied differ in appearance, diameter, distribution and density of the peltate trichomes. The results obtained indicate that micromorphological features could be valid parameters for the microscopic authentication of aromatic plants of which the representatives of the Lamiaceae are of par­ticular commercial importance.

This is the first report on the phenolic composition and biological activities of endemic speciesSalvia jurisiciiKošanin (Lamiaceae) originating from Macedonia. Aerial parts ofS. jurisiciiwere extracted with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol and water. All extracts were tested spectrophotometrically for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, while their phenolic composition was analyzed using HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activity of extracts was studied using 2,2-dyphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ferric reducing ability of plasma and ß-carotene bleaching assays. Being the most frequently used solvents for extraction of bioactive ingredients from medicinal plants, water and ethanol extracts were chosen for further testing of antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antineurodegenerative activities. More polar solvent extracts showed higher total phenolic content and lower flavonoid content. Ethanol and methanol extracts, followed by water extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. Extracts showed antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and micromycetes. The cytotoxicity assay showed slight toxicity to HCT-116 cell line. In the antineurodegenerative assays, the extracts performed lower inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase than standards. According to the results of this study, it can be inferred that more polar extracts ofS. jurisiciiwere quantitatively richer in total phenolics, showing stronger antioxidant activity. Ethanol extract showed stronger biological activities comparing to water extract. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Rose hip seed oil is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as tocopherols, carotenoids, sterols, phospholipids, and phenolic compounds. On the other hand, due to the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, this oil is prone to oxidation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a natural antioxidant, i.e., pomegranate peel extract, and its combination with butylated hydroxytoluene as a commonly used synthetic antioxidant, on the stability of rose hip oil. The stability of samples without and with different antioxidants was monitored through analysis of the fatty acid composition and measurement of the quality and stability parameters of the oil (peroxide value, p-anisidine value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances inhibition, total phenolic content and antiradical activity) during a storage period of 12 days at 65 °C. Pomegranate peel extract (0.1 %) inhibited more effectively the second stage of oxidation than butylated hydroxytoluene (0.02 %), while the first stage of oxidation was better prevented by the synthetic antioxidant. Furthermore, the addition of pomegranate peel extract increased the total phenolic content of the rose hip oil as well as its antiradical activity. Thus, pomegranate peel extract could be used as a potent natural antioxidant for the stabilization of beneficial but unstable rose hip oil.

Background/Aim: Polyphenol compounds obtained from pomegranate have beneficial pharmacological activities in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2). Most of DMT2 patients are overweight or obese and obesity by itself is very much related to insulin resistance and abnormalities in insulin secretion. This clinical study aimed to evaluate the pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) activity on anthropometric parameters and body composition of overweight patients with DMT2. Methods: Sixty patients with DMT2 on continuous metformin therapy were involved in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial. Patients from the study group (n=30) were treated with capsules containing PoPEx (250 mg) twice a day for 8-week period, while those ones from the placebo group (n=30) received placebo capsules for the same period. Anthropometric characteristics (body weight, waist circumference, fat mass percentage, visceral fat level) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results: Eight-week treatment with PoPEx resulted in significant changes in BMI (mean value ± standard deviation: 0.18 ± 0.30 kg/m2 ) and body mass (0.48 ± 0.93 kg). The intake of PoPEx produced a significant decrease in waist circumference (z = -4.613, p < 0.001, r = 0.60) indicating a large effect size using Cohen's d-test, and a non-significant decrease in the level of visceral fat. The results showed a non-significant reduction in fat mass percentage in PoPEx group (-0.58 ± 2.21 %, p = 0.159) compared with the placebo group (0.14 ± 1.24 %, p = 0.546). Conclusion: The eight-week supplementation with PoPEx had a beneficial effect on anthropometry and body composition of overweight diabetic patients.

Decoctions obtained from dried apple and pear fruits were subjected to in vitro digestion in the presence of a food matrix in order to determine changes in the polyphenol content and antiproliferative activity. The total phenolic and total proanthocyanidins contents were determined using spectrophotometrical methods, and the phenolic compounds were analyzed by RP-HPLC/DAD before and after digestion. Chlorogenic acid and phlorizin dihydrate were the major identified compounds. The addition of a food matrix immediately decreased the contents of individual and total phenolics. After digestion, they were slightly elevated but still lower than in the initial samples. Antiproliferative activity was investigated on human epithelial carcinoma cell line (HeLa), human colon carcinoma (LS174) and human foetal lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells. The exhibited growth inhibition was not correlated with the content of phenolics in the tested samples, indicating that it could not be explained solely by their content. With the exception of the apple decoction effect on HeLa cells, the digestion process resulted in significant increases in the antiproliferative activity.

This research was aimed at investigating polyphenolic content, antioxidant and anti-neurodegenerative activities of post-distillation waste extracts of Macedonian Salvia amplexicaulis, S. jurisicii and S. ringens, for the first time. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied in a broad range (3.92-146.49 mg GAE/g and 7.11-67.51 mg QE/g, respectively), with the highest values obtained for S. amplexicaulis and S. ringens extracts. Certain S. amplexicaulis and S. ringens extracts neutralized more than 80% of DPPH radicals at the highest concentration, while S. amplexicaulis extracts showed up to ≈50% inhibition of b-carotene oxidation in b-carotene/linoleic acid assay. Post-distillation waste extracts inhibited acetylcholinesterase (25.94-38.15%) and tyrosinase (18.84-59.52%), with the strongest inhibition of S. amplexicaulis extracts. The obtained results suggest that post-distillation waste of tested species, especially of S. amplexicaulis, show antioxidant and anti-neurodegenerative activities and could be considered as potential raw material rich in polyphenols.

Pumpkin fruit is used in a diet since ancient times especially in rural communities. The major contributory factors of nutritional and medicinal value of pumpkins are carotenoids, polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, and phenolic compounds. Due to a very large fruit that it is not easy to consume a whole as well as short shelf-life of fresh-cut pumpkin, different ways of conserving and processing are performed. In our study, total carotenoids, total phenolics and individual phenolics in fresh pumpkin and pumpkin traditional products such as sweet in wine, jam and juice, which are typical for northern parts of Serbia, were studied. Total carotenoids ranged from 27.6 μg/g of pumpkin sweet in wine to 86.3 μg/g of fresh fruit, while the amount of total phenolics varied between 93.0 μg GAE/g of pumpkin juice and 905.9 μg GAE/g of fresh fruit. Eight phenolic compounds were identified in the investigated samples and among them phenolic acids dominated. Among flavonoids, flavanon glycoside hesperidin was detected. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 46013]

The present study was designed to establish and optimize a method for extracting natural bioactive compounds from Thymus serpyllum which possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmotic and stimulant properties. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is a well-established method in the processing of plant material, particularly for extraction of bioactive substances such as polyphenols. The influential factors including extraction time (3, 7 and 10 minutes), solid:solvent ratio (1:10, 1:20 and 1:30) and particle size (0.3, 0.7 and 1.5 mm), have been studied to optimize the extraction process, while using 30% ethanol as an extraction medium and amplitude set to 65%. The yield of UAE was expressed via total phenol content and antioxidant activity of the obtained extracts. The optimum process paremeters were found to be: extraction time, 3 min; solid:solvent ratio, 1:30; particle size, 0.3 mm. Under these conditions, the yield of total polyphenols was raised up to 23.03 mg/L GA and the highest antioxidant activity was recorded (10.32 mmol/mg Trolox and IC50 3.00 mg/ml). [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 46010 i br. 46013]

Wine quality depends mainly on the characteristics of the grape it is made of, and one of the attributes affecting wine composition is cluster and berry morphology. The aim of this study was to represent variability of morphological characteristics between clones of the autochthonous grape variety Prokupac and performed chemical evaluation of wines obtained from them. Total phenolic content was generally low and it ranged from 33.0 to 114.5 mg GAE/100 mL. Six main anthocyanin compounds with malvidin as the main anthocyanidin were detected. Malvidin-3-O-glucoside was the most abundant anthocyanin ranging from 59.8 to 101.7 μg/mL. Clones 43/5 and 43/4 are marked as those from which wines with the highest quality are obtained. According to our results clonal selection makes a significant difference in Prokupac wine quality. On the other hand, there is a poor response of wine quality parameters to variation in morphological attributes of clusters and berries (bunch weight, proportion of stem, berry and seed weight, skin, pulp and seed weight per berry). [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 46013, br. 31063 i br. 43007]

The aim of this study was chemical analysis of phenolic compounds, as well as mineral nutrients in pulp and peel obtained from Balkan indigenous apple and pear cultivars. Phenolic composition assesed by means of HPLC-DAD and spectrophotometric methods varied significantly between the cultivars for both peel and pulp. Among apples Mekica cultivar had the highest total phenolic content while Šećerlija and Zlatna Parmenka had the lowest. In the case of pear samples the principal source of total phenolic content was Crna Takiša while their minimum was recorded for Bela Arapka. In most of the investigated samples chlorogenic acid in apples and arbutin in pears were major detected polyphenolic compounds. With regard to mineral analysis K was the most abundant followed by P, Mg, Ca and S. Iron was the dominant microelement in apple peel and pulp samples, while in pear samples the principal microelement was B. Obtained results provide detailed information on chemical composition of tested apple and pear cultivars and therby could encourage their wider cultivation and consumption. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 46013]

Phenolic compounds are very important quality parameters of wine because of their impact on colour, taste and health properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the general phenolic composition and free radical scavenging activity of aqueous and organic fractions obtained using liquid/liquid extractions from red wine produced from Serbian autochtonous grape variety Prokupac. Total phenolic contents in different fractions ranged from 48.22 to 289.12 mg GAE/g dry fraction. Phenolic acids (mainly hydroxycinnamic acids) and quercetin-3-glucuronide were the main components of the EtOAc fraction at pH 2.0; catechins, phenolic acids (mainly hydroxybenzoic acids) and quercetin were found in the EtOAc fraction at pH 7.0, while anthocyanins were identified in the aqueous residue after EtOAc extraction. The major anthocyanin extracted into aqueous fraction was malvidin-3-glucoside, while the most abundant non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds from organic fractions were ethyl gallate and trans-caftaric acid. Radical scavenging activity differed significantly among fractions and IC50 values were 138.58 μg/ml for water fraction, 17.83 and 3.47 μg/ml for EtOAc fractions at pH 2.0 and pH 7.0, respectively. As the EtOAc fractions were found to be more potent radical scavengers, it could be assumed that non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds were responsible for such activity in Prokupac wine. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 46013]

All the parts of plants (root, leaf, flower) naturally have a high level of microorganisms, bacteria and fungi, especially molds. Microbial contamination could be a result of inappropriate harvesting, cleaning of the raw plant material, unhygienic processing of the plants, unsuitable transport and storage. After examination of over 40 dried medicinal plant species, the lowest microbial quality was determined for Maydis stigma, Mentha leaf and herb, Equisetum herb, Calendula flower, Urtica leaf, Melissa leaf, Serpylli herb, Chamomilla flower etc. Although mixed infections are recorded with different types of fungus, Fusarium was observed as the most dominant genus in most of the tested drugs, followed by Aspergillus and Alternaria. In addition to these fungi species from the following genera were identified: Phoma, Cephalosporium, Nigrospora, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Gliocladium, Myrothecium, Cercospora, Phomopsis, Verticillium, Dreschlera (=Bipolaris), Rhizoctonia, Septoria, Trichoderma, Curvularia, Stachybotrys, Trichothecium, Puccinia, Botrytis, Mucor and Rhizopus sp., depending on plant species.

Rutin (1, main constituent) and two flavone C-glycosides, vitexin (2) and vitexin 2''-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (3) were isolated from the aerial parts of Onobrychis montana subsp. scardica. They were identified by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy (procedure with shift reagents), and high resolution ESI-MS. A relatively high content of 1 (5.27 mg/g of dry plant material), measured by HPLC, indicated O. montana subsp. scardica as a new natural source of this biologically active compound. The isolated flavonoid compounds might be of value as chemotaxonomic markers.

Although the nutritional and health benefits of Rumex species are well known, little is known about the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of Rumex balcanicus Rech. fil. (Polygonaceae), an endemic plant of the Balkan Peninsula. To the best of our knowledge, this paper represents the first attempt to comparatively analyse phenolic composition, as well as in vitro pharmacological activites of dry hydromethanol extracts of R. balcanicus fruit (RBF), leaf (RBL) and root (RBR), collected in Serbia. The maximum total phenolic content was found in RBF (386.6 mg GAE/g). The RBF was characterized by high amounts of miquelianin (28.8 mg/g) and procyanidin B 1 (28.1 mg/g). The RBL was the richest in quercitrin (18.4 mg/g) and miquelianin (15.0 mg/g), while nepodin (54.1 mg/g) and procyanidin B 2 (40.6 mg/g) were the major compounds in RBR. The RBF exhibited significant antioxidant activity, evaluated by DPPH (IC 50 =4.9 μg/mL), ABTS (IC 50 =0.8 μg/mL) and FRAP (5.9 mmol Fe 2+ /g) assays. Moreover, RBF showed strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC 50 =1.8 μg/mL), in addition to notable anti-α-amylase, anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-tyrosinase activities. Molecular docking analysis predicted miquelianin and procyanidin B 2 as the greatest inhibitors of these enzymes. Overall, R. balcanicus fruits stood out as the most promising plant material worth further research., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The study aimed to develop encapsulation systems to maintain the preservation of everlasting ( Helichrysum plicatum ) flower extract polyphenols. Spray-dried encapsulates were formulated using β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) as supramolecular hosts, and their macromolecule mixtures with the conventional carriers, maltodextrin (MD) and whey protein (WP). The obtained microparticles were comparatively assessed regarding technological, physicochemical, and phytochemical properties. The highest yields were achieved by combining cyclodextrins with whey protein (73.96% for WP+BCD and 75.50% for WP+HPBCD compared to 62.48% of pure extract). The extract-carrier interactions and thermal stability were evaluated by FTIR and DSC analysis, suggesting successful entrapment within the carriers. Carriers reduced the particle diameter (3.99 to 4.86 μm compared to 6.49 μm of pure extract), classifying all encapsulates as microsystems. Carrier blends made the particle size distribution uniform, while SEM analysis revealed the production of more spherical and less aggregated particles. The HPBCD provided the highest encapsulation efficiency, with the highest content of detected aglycones and slightly lower values of their glycosylated forms. An analysis of the dual macromolecule encapsulation systems revealed the highest bioactive preservation potential for SHE+MD+BCD and SHE+WP+HPBCD. Overall, macromolecule combinations of cyclodextrins and conventional biopolymers in the spray-drying process can enhance the functional properties of H. plicatum extract.

This study aimed to evaluate the spasmolytic activity of an underground parts extract of Gentiana asclepiadea L. (Gentianaceae), assess its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and explore the impact of extract encapsulation on the aforementioned bioactivities. An extract encapsulated by spray drying with whey protein, pure extract, and pure whey protein were comparatively tested. The main compounds identified via HPLC-DAD analysis underwent in silico ADME assessment. The spasmolytic effect was tested on a model of spontaneous rat ileum contractions, and the mechanism of action was further evaluated on acetylcholine-, KCl-, CaCl 2 -, BaCl 2 -, histamine-, N( ω )-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-, and glibenclamide-modified contractions. The most abundant compounds were secoiridoids (dominantly gentiopicroside), followed by C -glycosylated flavonoids and xanthones. Both pure and encapsulated extracts achieved significant spasmolytic effects, despite the spasmogenic activity of pure whey protein. The extract may exert its spasmolytic effect through multiple pathways, predominantly by antagonizing the Ca 2+ channel and opening the K + channel, while the nitric oxide pathway appears not to be involved. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the pure extract were moderate. The extract stabilized by encapsulation retained all of the tested bioactivities of the unencapsulated extract. The obtained results suggest that G. asclepiadea has potential for use in the treatment of some gastrointestinal complaints and that the encapsulated extract could be a valuable functional ingredient in pharmaceutical and food products.

The roots of Gentiana lutea L. are utilized in the preparation of various beverages and herbal remedies, serving as a traditional remedy for gastrointestinal ailments. The spasmolytic activity that could substantiate the traditional use of G. lutea root had not been investigated. The main objective goal of the study was to determine the validity of its use as a traditional remedy. The extraction of G. lutea root was performed using a 50% hydroethanolic solvent with three different extraction techniques: ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), heat-assisted extraction, and percolation. The spasmolytic activity was tested on isolated rat ileum. The mechanism of action was monitored using the models of spontaneous contractions and acetylcholine-, histamine-, CaCl 2 -, Bay K8644-, L-NAME-, ODQ-, apamin-, BaCl 2 -, charybdotoxin-, glibenclamide-, TRAM-34-, and quinine-modified contractions. UAE, having the best bioactivity, was further subjected to a liquid-liquid extraction fractionation. HPLC phytochemical analysis was performed for all tested extracts and fractions. Gentian root extracts were rich in secoiridoids, xanthones, and flavonoids. The UAE has shown better results on spontaneous contractions in comparison to its fractions, leading to the more detailed testing of its spasmolytic mechanism of activity. The extract's activity is primarily mediated through intermediate conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channels, ATP-sensitive K + channels, voltage-sensitive K + channels, and mechanisms that activate Ca 2+ channels. Overall, the G. lutea root shows great potential in the treatment of spasmodic gastrointestinal ailments.

Immortelle, a revered Mediterranean medicinal plant, is celebrated for its potent essential oil renowned in the cosmetic industry for its skin-enhancing properties. Yet, immortelle hydrosol, an often-overlooked byproduct, holds promise in cosmetics due to its compatibility with polar active ingredients. This study investigates the chemical composition of immortelle hydrosol by employing liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) to transfer volatile organic components into nonpolar solvents. Four solvents - chloroform, dichloromethane, hexane, and benzene - were assessed through ten consecutive extractions from industrially produced immortelle hydrosol. Quantification was achieved using GC analysis with tetradecane as an internal standard. Chloroform emerged as the most efficient solvent, yielding 2447.0 mg/L of volatile compounds, surpassing dichloromethane, hexane, and benzene. Key compounds in immortelle hydrosol included 3-pentanone, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and γ-terpineol. Importantly, the study revealed that a portion of essential oil compounds persists in the hydrosol even after ten LLE cycles, with optimal results achievable in five extractions (~92 % in most cases)., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Recovering the bioactive components from pomegranate peel (PP) in the fruit-processing industry has attracted great attention in terms of minimizing the waste burden, as well as providing a new source of a multitude of functional compounds. The present study aimed to develop a feasible microencapsulation process of PP extract by using pectin and a pectin/2-hydroxypropyl- β -cyclodextrin (HP- β -CD) blend as coating materials. Microsized powders obtained by a spray drying technique were examined in terms of technological characteristics, exhibiting high powder yield and desirable moisture content, flowability, and cohesive properties. Assuming that the interactions with the used biopolymers occur on the surface hydrophobic domain, their presence significantly improved the thermal stability of the microencapsulated powders up to 200 °C. The health-promoting effects of PP have been associated with its high content in ellagitannins, particularly punicalagin. The obtained PP powders exhibited strong antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential, while an antimicrobial assay revealed their potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, an in vitro release study suggested that the used biopolymers can modify the release of target bioactive compounds, thus establishing a basis for developing an oral-controlled release system. Altogether, biowaste valorization from PP by the production of effective multifunctional microsized powders represents a sustainable way to obtain novel nutraceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals.

The aim of the research was to develop microencapsulated powders of bilberry and chokeberry extracts via the spray drying technique. Two biopolymers, pectin alone and in combination with HP-β-CD, were used to preserve the antioxidant, hypoglycemic, photoprotective, and antimicrobial bioactivity of the berry leaf extracts. Moreover, the formed powders were characterized in terms of technological, chemical, and several biological properties. The obtained micro-sized powders (mean average particle diameter from 3.83 to 5.94 µm) demonstrated a process yield of up to 73%. The added biopolymers improved the flowability and cohesive properties of the powders and increased their thermal stability to 170 °C. The total content of polyphenolics in the powders ranged from 323.35 to 367.76 mg GAE/g DW for bilberry and from 186.85 to 227.59 mg GAE/g DW for chokeberry powders; meanwhile, chlorogenic acid was the predominant compound in powders. All samples showed stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 values ranged from 5.00 to 19.59 µg/mL) compared with the reference standard. The study confirmed that spray drying is a suitable method for the preservation of the polyphenolic-rich extracts, while the addition of carriers has a positive effect on the improvement of microencapsulated powders' properties.

Introduction: The endemic species Nepeta cyrenaica Quézel & Zaffran, native to northeastern Libya, is valued as an important honey-bearing plant., Objectives: This study was aimed to examine the micromorphology, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of in vitro-propagated N. cyrenaica for the first time., Materials and Methods: The leaf indumentum was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy and further characterised for histochemistry. The chemical composition of essential oil (EO) was performed using GC-MS analysis, while dichloromethane (DCM), methanol (ME), ethanol (ET), and aqueous (AQ) extracts were analysed using qualitative and quantitative LC/MS analyses. The antioxidant activities of EO and extracts were assessed using three parallel assays, while enzyme-inhibiting effects were evaluated against four enzymes., Results: The leaves bear various types of glandular trichomes, with lipophilic secretion predominating. The main EO component of EO was 1,8-cineole. A considerable number of phenolics and iridoids were tentatively identified in the ME extract. Quantitative LC/MS analysis confirmed that ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate were present in the highest amount in the extracts, in which three iridoids were also quantified. Although the ME extract contained the highest amount of polyphenolics and iridoids, the DCM extract showed the best overall biological potential. Additionally, EO exerted the strongest acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibition., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the endemic N. cyrenaica can be efficiently grown under in vitro conditions, where it develops various glandular trichomes that are thought to secrete and/or accumulate bioactive compounds with valuable medicinal potential., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Medicinal plants used in European folk medicine attached to Lamiales, Gentianales or Asterales orders are used to treat inflammatory disorders. Many targets have been identified but to date, implication of purinergic receptor P2X7 activation has not yet been investigated. We managed to evaluate the protective effect on P2X7 activation by plant extracts used as anti-inflammatory in European folk medicine by the YO-PRO-1 uptake dye in vitro bioassay. Results revealed that among our selected plants, species from Scrophularia and Plantago genus were able to decrease significantly P2X7 activation (>50 % at 0.1 and 1 μg/mL). UPLC/MS, dereplication and metabolomic analysis of Scrophularia extracts, allowed us to identify the cinnamoyl-iridoid harpagoside as putative inhibitor of P2X7 activation. These results open a new research field regarding the anti-inflammatory mechanism of cinnamoyl-iridoids bearing plants, which may involve the P2X7 receptor., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome characterised by catecholamine-induced oxidative tissue damage. Punica granatum , a fruit-bearing tree, is known to have high polyphenolic content and has been proven to be a potent antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) pre-treatment on isoprenaline-induced takotsubo-like myocardial injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomised into four groups. Animals in the PoPEx(P) and PoPEx + isoprenaline group (P + I) were pre-treated for 7 days with 100 mg/kg/day of PoPEx. On the sixth and the seventh day, TTS-like syndrome was induced in rats from the isoprenaline(I) and P + I groups by administering 85 mg/kg/day of isoprenaline. PoPEx pre-treatment led to the elevation of superoxide dismutase and catalase ( p < 0.05), reduced glutathione ( p < 0.001) levels, decreased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( p < 0.001), H 2 O 2 , O 2 - ( p < 0.05), and NO 2 - ( p < 0.001), in the P + I group, when compared to the I group. In addition, a significant reduction in the levels of cardiac damage markers, as well as a reduction in the extent of cardiac damage, was found. In conclusion, PoPEx pre-treatment significantly attenuated the isoprenaline-induced myocardial damage, primarily via the preservation of endogenous antioxidant capacity in the rat model of takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy.

An anthocyanin-rich blue maize waste product was used for anthocyanin extraction. To preserve bioactive phenolic compounds, a spray-drying technique was employed using conventional wall material maltodextrin (MD), with novel one, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD). The obtained spray-dried maize extract (SME) and microencapsulates were analyzed based on physicochemical powder properties, chemical analysis, antioxidant activity, and digestibility. The examined microencapsulates demonstrated good powder properties, exhibited a high powder yield (up to 83%), and had a low moisture content (less than 5%). HPBCD and MD + HPBCD combinations demonstrated superior powder properties in the terms of decreasing the time necessary for rehydration (133.25 and 153.8 s, respectively). The mean average particle diameter ranged from 4.72 to 21.33 µm. DSC analyses signified high powder thermal stability, around 200 °C, related to the increasing preservation with biopolymer addition. The total phenolic and anthocyanin compounds ranged from 30,622 to 32,211 mg CE/kg (CE-catechin equivalents) and from 9642 to 12,182 mg CGE/kg (CGE-cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents), respectively, associated with good bioactive compound protection. Microencapsulates with both carriers (15% MD and 15% HPBCD) had the highest digestibility (73.63%). Our results indicated that the microencapsulates created with the active ingredient and the wall materials (MD and HPBCD) could protect phenolic compounds/anthocyanins against ABTS radicals (63.53 and 62.47 mmol Trolox Eq/kg, respectively).

Innovative eco-friendly methods based on natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) coupled with ultrasound-assisted extraction were employed for chokeberry anthocyanins extractions. Nine different NaDES composed of choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor and organic acids (lactic, citric, malic), sugars (glucose, fructose), polyols (glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, sorbitol), and an amide (urea) as hydrogen bond donors were screened. Malic acid-containing NaDES was selected for optimization extraction conditions (time, temperature, water in NaDES) by response surface methodology. Optimal conditions for simultaneously maximizing the anthocyanins extraction (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, total anthocyanins) were 42.7 °C, 90 min, and 40 % (w/w) water in NaDES. In the next stage of this study, the possibility to improve anthocyanins extraction at elevated temperatures by incorporating different concentrations of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin into selected NaDES was investigated. The extraction was improved at hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin concentrations up to 3 % (w/w). To clarify the interaction of NaDES components and anthocyanins, a molecular dynamic simulation was conducted., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)