scholarly journals Lignans of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive Review

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 883
Author(s):  
Mebeaselassie Andargie ◽  
Maria Vinas ◽  
Anna Rathgeb ◽  
Evelyn Möller ◽  
Petr Karlovsky
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Transformation Products ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Sesame Seeds ◽  
Historical Texts ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Processed Products

Major lignans of sesame sesamin and sesamolin are benzodioxol--substituted furofurans. Sesamol, sesaminol, its epimers, and episesamin are transformation products found in processed products. Synthetic routes to all lignans are known but only sesamol is synthesized industrially. Biosynthesis of furofuran lignans begins with the dimerization of coniferyl alcohol, followed by the formation of dioxoles, oxidation, and glycosylation. Most genes of the lignan pathway in sesame have been identified but the inheritance of lignan content is poorly understood. Health-promoting properties make lignans attractive components of functional food. Lignans enhance the efficiency of insecticides and possess antifeedant activity, but their biological function in plants remains hypothetical. In this work, extensive literature including historical texts is reviewed, controversial issues are critically examined, and errors perpetuated in literature are corrected. The following aspects are covered: chemical properties and transformations of lignans; analysis, purification, and total synthesis; occurrence in Seseamum indicum and related plants; biosynthesis and genetics; biological activities; health-promoting properties; and biological functions. Finally, the improvement of lignan content in sesame seeds by breeding and biotechnology and the potential of hairy roots for manufacturing lignans in vitro are outlined.

scholarly journals Chromatography-Independent Fractionation and Newly Identified Molecular Features of the Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis Willd.) β-vignin Protein

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3018
Author(s):  
Biane Philadelpho ◽  
Victória Souza ◽  
Fabiani Souza ◽  
Johnnie Santos ◽  
Fabiana Batista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metal Binding ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Electrophoretic Analysis ◽  
Adzuki Bean ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
High Degree

Adzuki seed β-vignin, a vicilin-like globulin, has proven to exert various health-promoting biological activities, notably in cardiovascular health. A simple scalable enrichment procedure of this protein for further nutritional and functional studies is crucial. In this study, a simplified chromatography-independent protein fractionation procedure has been optimized and described. The electrophoretic analysis showed a high degree of homogeneity of β-vignin isolate. Furthermore, the molecular features of the purified protein were investigated. The adzuki bean β-vignin was found to have a native size of 146 kDa, and the molecular weight determined was consistent with a trimeric structure. These were identified in two main polypeptide chains (masses of 56–54 kDa) that are glycosylated polypeptides with metal binding capacity, and one minor polypeptide chain with a mass 37 kDa, wherein these features are absent. The in vitro analysis showed a high degree of digestibility of the protein (92%) and potential anti-inflammatory capacity. The results lay the basis not only for further investigation of the health-promoting properties of the adzuki bean β-vignin protein, but also for a possible application as nutraceutical molecule.

scholarly journals Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Biological Activities

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 614
Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
Sushil Changan ◽  
Maharishi Tomar ◽  
Uma Prajapati ◽  
Vivek Saurabh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Annona Squamosa ◽  
Tropical Fruit ◽  
Custard Apple ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Phytochemical Profile

Annona squamosa L. (custard apple) belongs to the family Annonaceae and is an important tropical fruit cultivated in the West Indies, South and Central America, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, India, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Egypt. Leaves of custard apple plants have been studied for their health benefits, which are attributed to a considerable diversity of phytochemicals. These compounds include phenol-based compounds, e.g., proanthocyanidins, comprising 18 different phenolic compounds, mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Extracts from Annona squamosa leaves (ASLs) have been studied for their biological activities, including anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiobesity, lipid-lowering, and hepatoprotective functions. In the current article, we discussed the nutritional and phytochemical diversity of ASLs. Additionally, ASL extracts were discussed with respect to their biological activities, which were established by in vivo and in vitro experiments. A survey of the literature based on the phytochemical profile and health-promoting effects of ASLs showed that they can be used as potential ingredients for the development of pharmaceutical drugs and functional foods. Although there are sufficient findings available from in vitro and in vivo investigations, clinical trials are still needed to determine the exact effects of ASL extracts on human health.

Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) pods: a rich source of bioactive ingredients with antimicrobial, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, anti-diabetic and health-promoting properties

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 2051-2069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiza Mejri ◽  
Slimen Selmi ◽  
Alice Martins ◽  
Haifa benkhoud ◽  
Tarek Baati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Enzyme ◽  
Vicia Faba ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Broad Bean ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Vicia Faba L ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Bioactive Ingredients

Broad bean pods have been proven to be a functional food with promising in vitro and in vivo biological activities.

scholarly journals An Open-Access Dataset of Thorough QT Studies Results

Data ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Barbara Wiśniowska ◽  
Zofia Tylutki ◽  
Sebastian Polak
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Torsade De Pointes ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Predictive Performance ◽  
Qt Prolongation ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Study Results

Along with the current interest in changes of cardiovascular risk assessment strategy and inclusion of in silico modelling into the applicable paradigm, the need for data has increased, both for model generation and testing. Data collection is often time-consuming but an inevitable step in the modelling process, requiring extensive literature searches and other identification of alternative resources providing complementary results. The next step, namely data extraction, can also be challenging. Here we present a collection of thorough QT/QTc (TQT) study results with detailed descriptions of study design, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic endpoints. The presented dataset provides information that can be further utilized to assess the predictive performance of different preclinical biomarkers for QT prolongation effects with the use of various modelling approaches. As the exposure levels and population description are included, the study design and characteristics of the study population can be recovered precisely in the simulation. Another possible application of the TQT dataset is the analysis of drug characteristic/QT prolongation/TdP (torsade de pointes) relationship after the integration of provided information with other databases and tools. This includes drug cardiac safety classifications (e.g., CredibleMeds), Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) compounds classification, as well as those containing information on physico-chemical properties or absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) data like PubChem or DrugBank.

scholarly journals Sapogenol is a Major Microbial Metabolite in Human Plasma Associated with High Protein Soy-Based Diets: The Relevance for Functional Food Formulations

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 422
Author(s):  
Madalina Neacsu ◽  
Vassilios Raikos ◽  
Yara Benavides-Paz ◽  
Sylvia H. Duncan ◽  
Gary J. Duncan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Foods ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Soya Meal ◽  
Human Volunteers ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Health Promoting

Legumes are a source of health-promoting macro- and micronutrients, but also contain numerous phytochemicals with useful biological activities, an example of which are saponins. Epidemiological studies suggest that saponins may play a role in protection from cancer and benefit human health by lowering cholesterol. Therefore, they could represent good candidates for specialised functional foods. Following the consumption of a soya-rich high-protein weight-loss diet (SOYA HP WL), the concentrations of Soyasaponin I (SSI) and soyasapogenol B (SSB) were determined in faecal samples from human volunteers (n = 10) and found to be between 1.4 and 17.5 mg per 100 g fresh faecal sample. SSB was the major metabolite identified in volunteers’ plasma (n = 10) after consumption of the soya test meal (SOYA MEAL); the postprandial (3 h after meal) plasma concentration for SSB varied between 48.5 ng/mL to 103.2 ng/mL. The metabolism of SSI by the gut microbiota (in vitro) was also confirmed. This study shows that the main systemic metabolites of soyasaponin are absorbed from the gut and that they are bioavailable in plasma predominantly as conjugates of sapogenol. The metabolism and bioavailability of biologically active molecules represent key information necessary for the efficient development of functional foods.

Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Species from the GenusAjugaL.: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (05) ◽  
pp. 959-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Luan ◽  
Keqing Han ◽  
Maoxing Li ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Daoheng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Neuroprotective Activity ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Data Quality Control ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Ethnomedicinal Uses

The present review is aimed at providing a comprehensive summary of the botanical characteristics, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies of the genus Ajuga L. The extensive literature survey revealed Ajuga L. species to be a group of important medicinal plants used for the ethnomedical treatment of rheumatism, fever, gout, sclerosis, analgesia, inflammation, hypertension, hyperglycemia, joint pain, palsy, amenorrhea, etc., although only a few reports address the clinical use and toxicity of these plants. Currently, more than 280 chemical constituents have been isolated and characterized from these plants. Among these constituents, neo-clerodane diterpenes and diterpenoids, phytoecdysteroids, flavonoids, and iridoids are the major bioactive compounds, possessing wide-reaching biological activities both in vivo and in vitro, including anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antitumor, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antifeedant, antidiarrhoeal, hypolipidemic, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory, vasorelaxant, larvicidal, antimutagenic, and neuroprotective activity. This review is aimed at summarizing the current knowledge of the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, and toxicities of the genus Ajuga L. to reveal its therapeutic potentials, offering opportunities for future researches. Therefore, more focus should be paid to gathering information about their toxicology data, quality-control measures, and the clinical application of the bioactive ingredients from Ajuga L. species.

scholarly journals Are Supplements Safe? Effects of Gallic and Ferulic Acids on In Vitro Cell Models

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Truzzi ◽  
Maria Chiara Valerii ◽  
Camilla Tibaldi ◽  
Yanxin Zhang ◽  
Veronika Abduazizova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Intestinal Wall ◽  
Cell Models ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mucosal Layer ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Ferulic Acids

Polyphenols display health-promoting properties linked to their biological activities. They are initially absorbed in the small intestine, then they are largely metabolized in the colon, whereupon they are able to exert systemic effects. The health-promoting properties of polyphenols have led to the development of food supplements, which are also largely consumed by healthy people, even if data on their safety are still yet lacking. In the present paper, the content of gallic acid and ferulic acid was analyzed in two supplements, and shown to be higher than the relative contents found in fruit and flour. To evaluate the effects of these phenolic compounds on epithelial intestinal tissue, gallic and ferulic acids were added to a new in vitro model of the intestinal wall at different concentrations. The effects on viability, proliferation and migration of these compounds were respectively tested on three different cell lines (Caco2, L929 and U937), as well as on a tridimensional intestinal model, composed of a mucosal layer and a submucosa with fibroblasts and monocytes. Results indicated that gallic and ferulic acids can exert toxic effects on in vitro cell models at high concentrations, suggesting that an excessive and uncontrolled consumption of polyphenols may induce negative effects on the intestinal wall.

scholarly journals Aspects of anthocyanin absorption, metabolism and pharmacokinetics in humans

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin D Kay
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Maximum Plasma ◽  
Elimination Half ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Clearance Kinetics ◽  
Berry Anthocyanins

AbstractInterest in the health-promoting properties of berry anthocyanins is intensifying; however, findings are primarily based onin vitrocharacteristics, leaving mechanisms associated with absorption, metabolism and pharmacokinetics largely unexplored. The present review integrates the available anthocyanin literature with that of similar flavonoids or polyphenols in order to form hypotheses regarding absorption, metabolism and clearance in humans. Of the limited available literature regarding the absorption and clearance kinetics of anthocyanins, maximum plasma concentrations are reported anywhere between 1·4 and 592 nmol/l and occur at 0·5–4 h post-consumption (doses; 68–1300 mg). Average urinary excretion is reported between 0·03 and 4 % of the ingested dose, having elimination half-lives of 1·5–3 h. In addition, much is unknown regarding the metabolism of anthocyanins. The most commonly cited conjugation reactions involved in the metabolism of other flavonoids include glucuronidation, methylation and sulfation. It is reasonable to suspect that anthocyanins are metabolised in much the same manner; however, until recently, there was little evidence to suggest that anthocyanins were metabolised to any significant extent. New evidence now suggests that anthocyanins are absorbed and transported in human serum and urine primarily as metabolites, with recent studies documenting as much as 68–80 % of anthocyanins as metabolised derivatives in human urine. Further research is required to resolve mechanisms associated with the absorption, metabolism and clearance of anthocyanins in order to establish their true biological activities and health effects. The presented evidence will hopefully focus future research, refining study design and propagating a more complete understanding of anthocyanins' biological significance in humans.

scholarly journals Underutilised fruits: a review of phytochemistry and biological properties

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Hasan Salahuddin Mirfat ◽  
Ismail Amin ◽  
Kassim Nur Kartinee ◽  
Hamid Muhajir ◽  
Mat Ali Mohd Shukri
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Fruit Species ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Health Significance ◽  
Canarium Odontophyllum

Underutilised fruits are not only important sources of food and nutrition, but also secure household income especially for rural and farm communities. However, some of the underutilised fruits have not received much attention as compared to commercial fruits. This could be due to their lack of knowledge of their potential values. Hence, information about their health promoting properties is critical to increase the value of underutilised fruit species to enhance their preservation and sustainable use in strengthening food, nutrition, health and livelihood security. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the phytochemical properties and biological activities of underutilised fruit species grown in Malaysia focussing on health promoting aspects. With regard to phytochemistry, only 21 species of underutilised fruits have been identified and quantified. Phytochemical investigations of various parts of the fruits have revealed the presence of over 100 phytochemicals which are phenolics, terpenoids, carotenoids and other miscellaneous compounds. About 51 underutilised fruit species have been explored for interesting biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, cytotoxicity, antiatherosclerotic, antihyperlipidemia, antidiabetic, cytoprotective, cardioprotective and antiplatelet activities) supporting their diverse traditional uses. Different parts of the fruits have been analysed mainly in vitro and barely in vivo, with pulp being the most dominant. Of all the underutilised fruits studied, Mangifera species and Canarium odontophyllum have been the major focus for researchers. The gaps obtained from this review create further research opportunities to add to the current knowledge of health promoting properties of underutilised fruits in Malaysia. More studies are needed to confirm the health significance and explain their mechanisms of action in order to fully understand the real potential of this underutilised fruit species.

scholarly journals Review of Medicinal uses, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Antidesma laciniatum and A. membranaceum -

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 257-263
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Medicinal Uses ◽  
Traditional Medicines ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Cytotoxicity Activities ◽  
The University

Antidesma laciniatum and A. membranaceum are small trees used as traditional medicines in tropical Africa. This extensive literature review synthesizes the information currently available on the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of A. laciniatum and A. membranaceum. The university library and electronic search engines such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed were searched for pertinent information on the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of A. laciniatum and A. membranaceum. Traditionally, the species have been used as aphrodisiac, and traditional medicine for cough, kwashiorkor, mouth ulcers, pneumonia, prevent miscarriage, snakebites, stomachache and wounds. Various phytochemicals such as essential oils, isoflavonoid glycosides, phytosterols, benzopyranones, lignin glucosides, megastigmane, phenolics, steroids, squalene, terpenoids, triterpenoids, and tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids have been isolated from A. laciniatum and A. membranaceum. In vitro studies have confirmed the biological activities of A. laciniatum and A. membranaceum which, include antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal, leishmanicidal, molluscicidal and cytotoxicity activities. More pharmacological studies including phytochemical, toxicological, in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed to provide evidence for the clinical effectiveness of remedies prepared from the species.

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