The effects of six months Persicaria minor extract supplement among older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial

Background Persicaria minor extract exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has potential effects on cognitive function and mood. However, the effects of P.minor on brain activation and biomarkers have not been studied among older adults. This multicentre, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study aimed to investigate the effect of 6 months P.minor extract supplement (Biokesum®) on cognition, mood, biomarkers, and brain activation among older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Method A total of 36 Malaysian community-dwelling older adults with MCI (60–75-year-old) were randomized into Biokesum® (n = 18) and placebo group (n = 18). Each subject consumed one capsule of Biokesum® (250 mg/capsule) or placebo (maltodextrin, 280 mg/capsule) twice daily for 6 months. Cognitive function and mood were assessed at baseline, 3rd, and 6th-month using neuropsychological tests (MMSE, Digit Span, RAVLT, Digit Symbol, and Visual Reproduction) and Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire. Blood lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and biomarkers (MDA, LPO, COX-2, iNOS, and BDNF) were measured at baseline and 6th month. By the end of the intervention, there were 30 compliers (Biokesum®: N = 15; Placebo: N = 15) and 6 dropouts. For brain activation assessment, 15 subsamples (Biokesum®: N = 8; Placebo: N = 7) completed N-back and Stroop tasks during fMRI scanning at baseline and 6th month. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann’s area 9 and 46) was identified as a region of interest (ROI) for brain activation analysis using SPM software. Results Two-way mixed ANOVA analysis showed significant improvements in Visual Reproduction II (p = 0.012, partial η2 = 0.470), tension (p = 0.042, partial η2 = 0.147), anger (p = 0.010, partial η2 = 0.207), confusion (p = 0.041, partial η2 = 0.148), total negative subscales (p = 0.043, partial η2 = 0.145), BDNF (p = 0.020, partial η2 = 0.179) and triglyceride (p = 0.029, partial η2 = 0.237) following 6 months of Biokesum® supplementation. Preliminary finding also demonstrated significant improvement at 0-back task-induced right DLPFC activation (p = 0.028, partial η2 = 0.652) among subsamples in Biokesum® group. No adverse events were reported at the end of the study. Conclusion Six months Biokesum® supplementation potentially improved visual memory, negative mood, BDNF, and triglyceride levels among older adults with MCI. Significant findings on brain activation at the right DPLFC must be considered as preliminary. Trial registration Retrospectively registered on 30th August 2019 [ISRC TN12417552].

Semirefined Carrageenan (SRC) Film Incorporated with α-Tocopherol and Persicaria minor for Meat Patties Application

Semirefined carrageenan (SRC) plasticized with glycerol (G) and incorporated with antioxidants of 0.4% (v/v) of α-tocopherol and Persicaria minor (PM) extract was successfully developed. The objective of this study is to analyze the antioxidant effect of active packaging films from semirefined carrageenan incorporated with α-tocopherol and Persicaria minor on meat patties. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of α-tocopherol and PM extract were measured. The effects of α-tocopherol and PM extract incorporated with SRC-based films on meat patties were evaluated using thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay, metmyoglobin assay, and pH value for 14 days of storage. The films with 0.4% (v/v) of α-tocopherol and PM extract exhibited a lower lipid oxidation in meat patties compared with that of control (SRC film only, p < 0.05). Also, a brown color development of the meat patties of less than 50% was observed at the end of the 14-day storage. Meanwhile, the pH values for all samples decreased throughout the storage period with the SRC+G+α-tocopherol film showed the highest pH value. Hence, the formulation of SRC film with α-tocopherol or PM extract could be used as an alternative packaging for extending the shelf life of food product with high fat content.

FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE PERSICARIA MINOR SESQUITERPENE SYNTHASE GENE PROMOTER IN TRANSGENIC ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

Sesquiterpene synthase is an enzyme involved in sesquiterpene biosynthesis which catalyzed sesquiterpene formation from farnesyl diphosphate (FDP). In this research, the sesquiterpene synthase promoter (PmSS) was isolated from Persicaria minor (P.minor) to identify the functional region of the promoter and possible cis - regulatory element involved in the regulation of sesquiterpene synthase gene. Various putative cis - regulatory element involved in environmental stress and hormones were identified on PmSS promoter. The PmSS promoter and three series of deletion promoter were fused to β-glucuronidase (gus) gene and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana. This study showed PmSS promoter was regulated in a developmental -specific manner and response to wounding, drought, heat, abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJa) treatment. The results revealed the existence of cis regulatory elements that control the regulation of promoter activity in a developmental specific manner at -1758 to -1078 promoter sequences. The presence of cis-element acting as a repressor is expected to be present at the promoter between -1540 to -1078 bp. The region from -1078 to -855 was critical for maximal PmSS promoter activity. Deletion of promoter region from -1758 to -855 induced regulation of promoter in an organ-specific manner. Drought stress treatment did not induced GUS activity in deleted ABRE motif construct, suggested that ABRE motif is essential cis element during drought stress.

Growth, Carbon Assimilation and Quality of Kesum (Persicaria minor) as Exposed to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Aims: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles towards the Persicaria minor that can be used as a guidance for further toxicity investigation of ZnO-NPs. Study Design: A Completely Randomized Block Design (RCBD) was used with three replication. Each unit was consisted with eight plants and the total of 96 plants were used in this study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in plot 1, Vegetables Field plot for Teaching and Research, Taman Pertanian Universiti, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Selangor, Malaysia, from May 2018 until August 2018. Methodology: Persicaria minor were exposed to four different concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) which were (50,100 and 150 mg/L) and 0 mg/L as a control. The ZnO-NPs was dissolved in distilled water before being applied to plants. 40 mL of ZnO-NPs solution was applied to each plant. The growth, carbon assimilation and also secondary metabolites were measured in this experiment. Results: The results showed that the treatment of zinc oxide nanoparticles enhanced growth of the Persicaria minor as the plant treated with zinc oxide nanoparticles had higher plant height and total biomass when compared to control treatment. However, the analysis revealed that the treatment of zinc oxide nanoparticles highly and significantly influenced the carbon assimilation and quality of this plant as the treated plants showed reduction in chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate but increased in production of secondary metabolites. The increased in production of plant secondary metabolites may be attributed by the plant protection mechanism due to metabolic stress caused by high concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Conclusion: This research will progressively help in contributing some reliable and valid data on the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), towards the Persicaria minor that can be used as guidance for further experimental investigation regarding this field.