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Bioactive Components (bioactive + component)
Selected AbstractsASSESSING ABSORBABILITY OF BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS IN ALOE USING IN VITRO DIGESTION MODEL WITH HUMAN INTESTINAL CELLJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2010SOON-MI SHIM ABSTRACT This study used a simulated in vitro digestion model coupled with caco-2 cell to assess the digestive stability and absorption of aloin, aloe-emodin and aloenin A. Aloenin A and aloe-emodin were stable and entirely recovered during simulated digestion, but 50% of aloin was lost. Approximately 53.2, 7.3 and 28.7% of aloe-emodin, aloenin A and aloin, respectively, was transported into both apical and basolateral compartments after 1 h incubation in caco-2 cell. The involvement of several transporter proteins for aloin and aloenin A was examined. An inhibitor of SGLT1 on apical surface (phloridzin) or that of GLUT2 on basolateral membrane (cytochalasin B) reduced the absorption of aloin by 40 or 60%, respectively, indicating that aloin is likely to be a partial substrate of SGLT1. In the presence of an efflux transporter inhibitor (verapamil), the transport of aloenin A through an intentinal apical membrane increased up to 2.1 times compared with the control (without verapamil). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Our results on both digestive stability and intestinal absorption characteristics of bioactive components in aloe could be of helpful information for promoting its bioavailability. The in vitro technique described in this study provides a rapid and cost-effective alternative for predicting bioavailability of biomarkers in aloe functional food. [source] Emulsion-Based Delivery Systems for Lipophilic Bioactive ComponentsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2007D.J. McClements ABSTRACT:, There is a pressing need for edible delivery systems to encapsulate, protect, and release bioactive lipids within the food, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. The fact that these delivery systems must be edible puts constraints on the type of ingredients and processing operations that can be used to create them. Emulsion technology is particularly suited for the design and fabrication of delivery systems for encapsulating bioactive lipids. This review provides a brief overview of the major bioactive lipids that need to be delivered within the food industry (for example, ,-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, and phytosterols), highlighting the main challenges to their current incorporation into foods. We then provide an overview of a number of emulsion-based technologies that could be used as edible delivery systems by the food and other industries, including conventional emulsions, multiple emulsions, multilayer emulsions, solid lipid particles, and filled hydrogel particles. Each of these delivery systems could be produced from food-grade (GRAS) ingredients (for example, lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, surfactants, and minerals) using simple processing operations (for example, mixing, homogenizing, and thermal processing). For each type of delivery system, we describe its structure, preparation, advantages, limitations, and potential applications. This knowledge can be used to facilitate the selection of the most appropriate emulsion-based delivery system for specific applications. [source] Determination of Bioactive Components in Polygonum perfoliatum L. by Capillary Electrophoresis with Electrochemical DetectionCHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2009Shuping JIN Abstract The major bioactive components in a Chinese herb named Polygonum perfoliatum L. including ferulic acid, vanillic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid were simultaneously determined by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE-ED) in this paper. The effects of working electrode potential, pH and concentration of running buffer, separation voltage, and injection time on CE-ED were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the five analytes could be separated within 17 min at a separation voltage of 18 kV in 10 mmol· L,1 phosphate buffer (pH 9.2). A 300 µm diameter carbon disk electrode generated good responses at +0.95 V (vs. SCE) to the five analytes. The response was linear over three orders of magnitude with detection limits (S/N=3) ranging from 7.1×10,8 to 9.3×10,8 g·mL,1 for the analytes. This proposed method could be successfully applied to the analysis of the real samples with relatively simple extraction procedures and satisfactory results. [source] Interpretation of biological activity data of bacterial endotoxins by simple molecular models of mechanism of actionFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2000Vladimir Frecer Lipid A moiety has been identified as the bioactive component of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides). However, the molecular mechanism of biological activity of lipid A is still not fully understood. This paper contributes to understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of bacterial endotoxins by comparing molecular modelling results for two possible mechanisms with the underlying experimental data. Mechanisms of action involving specific binding of lipid A to a protein receptor as well as nonspecific intercalation into phospholipid membrane of a host cell were modelled and analysed. As the cellular receptor for endotoxin has not been identified, a model of a peptidic pseudoreceptor was proposed, based on molecular structure, symmetry of the lipid A moiety and the observed character of endotoxin-binding sites in proteins. We have studied the monomeric form of lipid A from Escherichia coli and its seven synthetic analogues with varying numbers of phosphate groups and correlated them with known biological activities determined by the Limulus assay. Gibbs free energies associated with the interaction of lipid A with the pseudoreceptor model and intercalation into phospholipid membrane calculated by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods were used to compare the two possible mechanisms of action. The results suggest that specific binding of lipid A analogues to the peptidic pseudoreceptor carrying an amphipathic cationic binding pattern BHPHB (B, basic; H, hydrophobic; P, polar residue, respectively) is energetically more favourable than intercalation into the phospholipid membrane. In addition, binding affinities of lipid A analogues to the best minimum binding sequence KFSFK of the pseudoreceptor correlated with the experimental Limulus activity parameter. This correlation enabled us to rationalize the observed relationship between the number and position of the phosphate groups in the lipid A moiety and its biological activity in terms of specific ligand,receptor interactions. If lipid A,receptor interaction involves formation of phosphate-ammonium ion-pair(s) with cationic amino-acid residues, the specific mechanism of action was fully consistent with the underlying experimental data. As a consequence, recognition of lipid A variants by an amphipathic binding sequence BHPHB of a host-cell protein receptor might represent the initial and/or rate-determining molecular event of the mechanism of action of lipid A (or endotoxin). The insight into the molecular mechanism of action and the structure of the lipid A-binding pattern have potential implications for rational drug design strategies of endotoxin-neutralizing agents or binding factors. [source] Quantitative determination of the major saponin mixture bacoside A in Bacopa monnieri by HPLCPHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2005M. Deepak Abstract Bacoside A, the putative bioactive component of the Indian medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri, was found to be a mixture of saponins with bacoside A3 (1), bacopaside II (2), jujubogenin isomer of bacopasaponin C (3) and bacopasaponin C (4) as major constituents. An HPLC method together with an optimised extraction procedure was developed for the estimation of 1,4 in B. monnieri to enable standardisation of the latter. Concentration ranges of the analytes in samples of B. monnieri collected from different regions of India were 0.14,0.85% (w/w) (1), 0.12,0.69% (2), 0.05,0.72% (3) and 0.05,0.44% (4). The importance of using bacoside A, with known concentrations of 1,4, as a reference standard for the routine analysis of B. monnieri is highlighted. Two common ,avonoids, luteolin and apigenin, were present in all samples of B. monnieri. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Azathioprine hepatotoxicity and the protective effect of liquorice and glycyrrhizic acidPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2006Yue-Ting Wu Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the responses of human hepatocytes to azathioprine hepatotoxicity in comparison with the well-studied azathioprine hepatotoxicity in rat hepatocytes and the effects of protective agents to suppress azathioprine hepatotoxicity. Azathioprine presented its hepatotoxicity at clinically relevant concentrations (lower than 10 µm) in primary rat hepatocytes after 48 h of treatment as shown by a severe decrease in cell viability as well as intracellular GSH depletion. However, primary human hepatocytes exhibited only significant intracellular GSH depletion after treatment with azathioprine at these clinically relevant concentrations, while a reduction in cell viability by 29% was only evidenced after 48 h of treatment with azathioprine at the high concentration of 50 µm. In addition, a monolayer culture of primary rat hepatocytes was used as an in vitro model to examine the protective effects of antihepatotoxic drugs including glutathione (GSH), N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a GSH precursor), liquorice and glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a major bioactive component of liquorice, against hepatotoxicity of 1 µm azathioprine. It was found that both liquorice and GA showed substantial protection according to assays of cell viability and intracellular GSH, while neither GSH nor NAC had such a protective function. Similarly, GA protected human hepatocytes from intracellular GSH depletion on exposure to 1 µm azathioprine. These results implied that GA or liquorice could be considered as potent protection agents against azathioprine hepatotoxicity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Determination of paeonol in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography and its application to pharmacokinetic studies following oral administration of Moutan cortex decoctionBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2003Xinan Wu Abstract Quanti,cation of paeonol, the principal bioactive component of Moutan cortex, in rat plasma following oral administration of Moutan cortex decoction was achieved by using a simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The calibration curves for paeonol were linear in both the low (25,200 ng/mL) and the high concentration range (200,4000 ng/mL) with r2 values of 0.9928 and 0.9993, respectively. The coef,cients of variation of intra- and inter-day assays were 14.36, 6.52, 1.76, 1.25, 5.36, 3.30 and 1.42% and 12.70, 1.19, 2.98, 1.91, 1.75, 1.78 and 0.96% at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 ng/mL, respectively. The recoveries of paeonol from rat plasma were found to be 101.9, 104.5, 105.4 and 101.2% for concentrations of 50, 500, 1000 and 2000 ng/mL, respectively. The paeonol plasma concentrations were ,tted to two-compartment model with ,rst order absorption. The mean terminal half-lives (t1/2) of paeonol was 80.9 min. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Technology options for new nutritional conceptsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Hannu Korhonen Recent advances in the food and nutrition sciences support the concept that the diet has a significant role in the modulation of various functions in the body. The diet and/or its components may contribute to an improved state of well-being, a reduction of risks related to certain diseases and even an improvement in the quality of life. These new concepts have led to the introduction of a new category of health-promoting foodstuffs, i.e. functional foods. The concern about health embraces a number of driving issues, needs and opportunities which may be approached by designing specific diets from various food raw materials. These tailor-made products provide physiological benefits that are targeted at particular consumer groups. The functionality of functional foods is based on bioactive components, which may be contained naturally in the product but usually require formulation by appropriate technologies in order to optimise the desired beneficial properties. To this end, it is often necessary to develop and apply novel technologies, e.g. membrane separation, high hydrostatic pressure and supercritical fluid extraction techniques. Also the minimal processing concept could be employed in this context. This review discusses the current technological options available and the future challenges faced in the area. Particular attention is paid to the exploitation of bovine colostrum and milk-derived bioactive compounds for the development of functional foods. [source] Evaluation of the extraction efficiency for polyphenol extracts from by-products of green kiwifruit juicingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Dongxiao Sun-Waterhouse Summary The health benefits of fruits are attributable in part to their bioactive components such as phenolics and pectic polysaccharides. By-products derived from kiwifruit processing can be a good source of such bioactive compounds. Extracts were produced using different concentrations of ethanol in water (0%, 30%, 50%, 74% and 96% v/v) from by-products (skin, residue and pulp) of the green-fleshed kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa,Hayward') juicing process. The amounts of phenolic compounds and uronic acid (UA) as well as the phenolic composition in each extract were determined. Results show that different by-products contained different concentrations of phenolics and pectic polysaccharides. Based on total phenolic contents, 96% v/v ethanol appeared to be the best extraction medium. The 30% or 74% ethanolic dilution was the second best medium for phenolic extraction from skin and pulp/residue, respectively. Water was a good medium for extracting satisfactory quantities of phenolics as well as the highest concentration of pectic polysaccharides. Phenolic profiling by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect individual phenolic compounds in an extract. Results using HPLC showed that alkali pre-treatment has improved the extraction efficiency of phenolics as a function of alkali concentration, fruit tissue type, extraction media, by-product preparation method, and class of polyphenols. As a result more efficient methods for both extraction and characterisation of polyphenols could be evaluated. [source] Effects of pulsed electric fields on bioactive components, colour and flavour of green tea infusionsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Wei Zhao Summary Green tea is an unfermented tea containing a higher quantity of bioactive components. In this paper, the effects of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatments on the bioactive components (polyphenols, catechins and free amino acids), colour and flavour of green tea infusions were studied. PEF as a promising non-thermal sterilisation technology could efficiently retain polyphenols, catechins and original colour of green tea infusions with electric field strength from 20 to 40 kV cm,1 for 200 ,s. PEF treatments caused a significant increase in the total free amino acids of green tea infusions. The total free amino acids increased by 7.5% after PEF treatment at 40 kV cm,1. The increase in total amino acids induced by PEF treatment, especially to theanine, is beneficial for the quality of commercial ready-to-drink green tea infusion products. There was no significant effect of PEF treatment at 20 or 30 kV cm,1 on flavour compounds of green tea infusions. However, PEF treatment caused losses of volatiles in green tea infusions to different extents when PEF dosage was higher than a critical level. The total concentration of volatiles lost was approximately 10% after PEF treatment at 40 kV cm,1 for 200 ,s. [source] The use of colloidal gas aphrons as novel downstream processing for the recovery of astaxanthin from cells of Phaffia rhodozymaJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Maria Dermiki Abstract BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest in obtaining natural products with bioactive properties, using fermentation technology. However, the downstream processing consisting of multiple steps can be complicated, leading to increase in the final cost of the product. Therefore there is a need for integrated, cost-effective and scalable separation processes. RESULTS: The present study investigates the use of colloidal gas aphrons (CGA), which are surfactant-stabilized microbubbles, as a novel method for downstream processing. More particularly, their application for the recovery of astaxanthin from the cells of Phaffia rhodozyma is explored. Research carried out with standard solutions of astaxanthin and CGA generated from the cationic surfactant hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) showed that up to 90% recovery can be achieved under optimum conditions, i.e., pH 11 with NaOH 0.2 mol L,1. In the case of the cells' suspension from the fermentation broth, three different approaches were investigated: (a) the conventional integrated approach where CGA were applied directly; (b) CGA were applied to the clarified suspension of cells; and finally (c) the in situ approach, where CGA are generated within the clarified suspension of cells. Interestingly, in the case of the whole suspension (approach a) highest recoveries (78%) were achieved under the same conditions found to be optimal for the standard solutions. In addition, up to 97% recovery of total carotenoids could be achieved from the clarified suspension after pretreatment with NaOH. This pretreatment led to maximum cell disruption as well as optimum conditioning for subsequent CGA separation. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the potential of CGA for the recovery of bioactive components from complex feedstock. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] ASSESSING ABSORBABILITY OF BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS IN ALOE USING IN VITRO DIGESTION MODEL WITH HUMAN INTESTINAL CELLJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2010SOON-MI SHIM ABSTRACT This study used a simulated in vitro digestion model coupled with caco-2 cell to assess the digestive stability and absorption of aloin, aloe-emodin and aloenin A. Aloenin A and aloe-emodin were stable and entirely recovered during simulated digestion, but 50% of aloin was lost. Approximately 53.2, 7.3 and 28.7% of aloe-emodin, aloenin A and aloin, respectively, was transported into both apical and basolateral compartments after 1 h incubation in caco-2 cell. The involvement of several transporter proteins for aloin and aloenin A was examined. An inhibitor of SGLT1 on apical surface (phloridzin) or that of GLUT2 on basolateral membrane (cytochalasin B) reduced the absorption of aloin by 40 or 60%, respectively, indicating that aloin is likely to be a partial substrate of SGLT1. In the presence of an efflux transporter inhibitor (verapamil), the transport of aloenin A through an intentinal apical membrane increased up to 2.1 times compared with the control (without verapamil). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Our results on both digestive stability and intestinal absorption characteristics of bioactive components in aloe could be of helpful information for promoting its bioavailability. The in vitro technique described in this study provides a rapid and cost-effective alternative for predicting bioavailability of biomarkers in aloe functional food. [source] GLYCOSIDASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF A POLYSACCHARIDE FROM THE MUSHROOM INONOTUS OBLIQUUSJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2010HAIXIA CHEN ABSTRACT A water-soluble polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus (IOPS) was isolated from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilat. The chemical compositions, molecular weight and inhibitory activities on glycosidase and antioxidant properties of IOPS were investigated. The results indicated that IOPS was an acid protein-bound polysaccharide, with a molecular weight of 1.7 × 104 Da and the contents of neutral sugar, protein and uronic acids being 42.5, 18.5 and 6.1%, respectively. IOPS exhibited an inhibitory activity against ,-glucosidase with the IC50 value of 93.3 µg/mL, whereas it had no effective inhibition on ,-amylase. Results of antioxidant activity assays revealed that IOPS had inhibitory activity on the concentration-dependent quenching of 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radicals. Furthermore, IOPS inhibited the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in Fe2+/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver tissue. These results clearly demonstrated that IOPS was one of the main bioactive components of I. obliquus that contributed to hypoglycemic activity and antioxidant activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Diabetes mellitus is one of the primary threats to human health because of its increasing prevalence, chronic course and disabling complications. Postprandial hyperglycemia plays an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and complications associated with the disease. One therapeutic approach to decrease postprandial hyperglycemia is to retard the absorption of glucose through inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes in the digestive organs. In this study, a polysaccharide isolated from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus (IOPS) was shown to have notable glycosidase inhibitory effects and antioxidant activities. This research will benefit for the investigation of effective and safe ,-glucosidase inhibitors from natural materials. IOPS could be a good candidate for application in food and medicinal fields. It might be developed for functional food or lead compounds for use in antidiabetes. [source] Cordyceps fungi: natural products, pharmacological functions and developmental productsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2009Professor Xuanwei Zhou Abstract Objectives Parasitic Cordyceps fungi, such as Cordyceps sinensis, is a parasitic complex of fungus and caterpillar, which has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries particularly in China, Japan and other Asian countries. This article gives a general idea of the latest developments in C. sinensis research, with regard to the active chemical components, the pharmacological effects and the research and development of products in recent years. Key findings The common names for preparations include DongChongXiaCao in Chinese, winter worm summer grass in English. It has many bioactive components, such as 3,-deoxyadenosine, cordycepic acid and Cordyceps polysaccharides. It is commonly used to replenish the kidney and soothe the lung, and for the treatment of fatigue. It also can be used to treat conditions such as night sweating, hyposexuality, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, asthenia after severe illness, respiratory disease, renal dysfunction, renal failure, arrhythmias and other heart disease and liver disease. Because of its rarity and outstanding curative effects, several mycelia strains have been isolated from natural Cordyceps and manufactured by fermentation technology, and are commonly sold as health food products. In addition, some substitutes such as C. militaris and adulterants also have been used; therefore, quality control of C. sinensis and its products is very important to ensure their safety and efficacy. Summary Recent research advances in the study of Cordyceps, including Cordyceps mushrooms, chemical components, pharmacological functions and developmental products, has been reviewed and discussed. Developing trends in the field have also been appraised. [source] Simultaneous determination of iridoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and saponins in Flos Lonicerae and Flos Lonicerae Japonicae by HPLC-DAD-ELSD coupled with principal component analysisJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 18 2007Chun-Yun Chen Abstract A method, HPLC coupled with diode-array and evaporative light scattering detectors (HPLC-DAD-ELSD), was newly developed to evaluate the quality of Flos Lonicerae (FL) and Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (FLJ), through a simultaneous determination of multiple types of bioactive components. By employing DAD, the detection wavelengths were set at 240 nm for the determination of iridoids, 330 nm for phenolic acids, and 360 nm for flavonoids, respectively. While ELSD, connected in series after DAD, was applied to the determination of saponins. This assay was fully validated with respect to precision, repeatability, and accuracy. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) was used for the similarity evaluation of different samples, and it was proven straightforward and reliable to differentiate FL and FLJ samples from different origins. For PCA, two principal components have been extracted. Principal component 1 (PC1) influences the separation between different sample sets, capturing 54.598% variance, while principal component 2 (PC2) affects differentiation within sample sets, capturing 12.579% variance. In conclusion, simultaneous quantification of bioactive components by HPLC-DAD-ELSD coupled with PCA would be a well-acceptable strategy to differentiate the sources and to comprehensively control the quality of the medicinal plants FL and FLJ. [source] Simultaneous analysis of nine active components in Gegen Qinlian preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detectionJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 14 2006Lihong Chen Abstract HPLC with diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) was employed to determine the quantities of puerarin, daidzin, daidzein, berberine, palmatine, coptisine, baicalin, baicalein, and glycyrrhizin in Gegen Qinlian preparations of three different pharmaceutical forms including decoction, dispensing granule and pill. The calibration curves for the nine bioactive components were linear in the given concentration ranges. The precision of the method was in the range of 0.2,5.0% (RSD), and the recoveries of this method were between 96.5 and 104.1%. The proposed method was applicable to analyze Gegen Qinlian preparations. [source] Separation and determination of active components in Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and its medicinal preparations by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresisJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 7-8 2004An Jia Chen Abstract A nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) method was developed for simultaneous assay of three bioactive components (1: cryptotanshinone; 2: tanshinone IIA, and 3: tanshinone I) in Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and in its herbal preparations for the first time. After optimization of separation conditions, a buffer of 250 mmol L,1 ammonium acetate containing 30% acetonitrile and 1.0% acetic acid (V : V) in methanol was selected for separating the three analytes, but baseline separation of tanshinon I and tanshinone IIA was not obtained. Therefore second-order derivative electropherograms were applied for resolving overlapping peaks. Regression equations revealed good linear relationships (correlation coefficients 0.9943,0.9991) between peak heights in second-order derivative electropherograms and concentrations of the three analytes. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of the migration times and the peak height of the three constituents were in the range of 0.81,0.88% and 0.34,1.13% (intra-day), 1.57,1.86% and 3.05,5.52% (inter-day), respectively. The recoveries of three constituents ranged from 90.2 to 108.5%. The results indicated that baseline separation of the analytes was sometimes hard to obtain and second-order derivative electropherograms were applicable for the resolving and analysis of overlapping peaks. [source] Antifungal activity of Pterocaulon alopecuroides (Asteraceae) against chromoblastomycosis agentsMYCOSES, Issue 3 2010Tatiane Caroline Daboit Summary Plants of the genus Pterocaulon (Asteraceae) are popularly used in the treatment of skin diseases caused by fungi and bacteria. The aim of this work was to investigate the in vitro activity of the crude methanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts of Pterocaulon alopecuroides (Lam.) against some agents of chromoblastomycosis, a chronic fungal infection of the skin and of the subcutaneous tissue caused by traumatic inoculation of the aetiological agent. The extract was active against all the strains tested showing a minimum inhibitory concentration between 625 and 2500 ,g ml,1. The assessment of fungistatic/fungicidal activity demonstrated that the extract was fungistatic against Fonsecaea spp. and fungicidal against all the other fungi. Our results indicate that the identification of bioactive components present in the crude methanolic extract of P. alopecuroides against chromoblastomycosis agents can be an important strategy to manage this mycosis in the future. [source] NEWS FROM EU RESEARCH: BaSeFood: sustainable exploitation of bioactive components from the Black Sea Area traditional foodsNUTRITION BULLETIN, Issue 3 2010F. D'Antuono Summary The Sustainable exploitation of bioactive components from the Black Sea Area traditional foods (BaSeFood) is a 3-year collaborative research programme, funded by the 7th Framework Programme, launched on the 1st of April 2009. The project, which is coordinated by Dr Filippo D'Antuono (University of Bologna), consists of a research consortium of 13 partners, namely Italy (two), the United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Serbia and six Black Sea area countries: Russian Federation, Ukraine (two), Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia. BaSeFood will contribute scientifically by studying the bioactive compounds within traditional foods of the Black Sea area using rigorous analytical and biological assays. The vast array of characteristics of traditional foods will be considered, as well as any associated consumer-perceived benefits, related to health claims, so that they can be properly understood by the consumer and exploited by food processors to produce more healthy traditional foods. [source] The extraction of imperialine and imperialine-3,-glucoside from Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk and quantitative determination by HPLC-evaporative light scattering detectionPHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2002Ping Li Abstract The extraction procedure and quantitative determination by HPLC-evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) of the main bioactive components, namely, imperialine (1) and imperialine-3,-glucoside (2), of bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk have been investigated. The most efficient method for the simultaneous extraction of 1 and 2 involved pre-treatment of the bulb powder with ammonia, followed by reflux with dichloromethane:methanol at 90°C for 4,h. Simultaneous determination of non-chromophoric 1 and 2 by HPLC-ELSD employed a KromasilÔ C18 column eluted with acetonitrile:water:diethylamine. The assay was accurate and reproducible with an overall variation lower than 4% and a sample recovery higher than 98%. The methods described have been successfully used to evaluate the quality of three batches of the crude traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the bulbs of F. pallidiflora. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effects of a herbal gel containing carvacrol and chalcones on alveolar bone resorption in rats on experimental periodontitisPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008Marco Antonio Botelho Abstract Carvacrol and dimeric chalcones are the respective bioactive components of Lippia sidoides and Myracrodruon urundeuva, popular medicinal plants of Northeastern Brazil with proven antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. Periodontal disease is associated with inflammation and microbiological proliferation, thus the study aimed to investigate the effect of a topical gel based on carvacrol and chalcones in the experimental periodontal disease (EPD) in rats. Animals were treated with carvacrol and/or chalcones gel, immediately after EPD induction, three times a day for 11 days. Appropriate controls were included in the study. Animals were weighed daily. They were killed on day 11, the mandibles dissected and alveolar bone loss was measured. The periodontium were examined at histopathology and the neutrophil influx into the gingiva was assayed using myeloperoxidase activity. The bacterial flora were assessed through culture of the gingival tissue. Alveolar bone loss was significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited by combined carvacrol and chalcones gel, compared with the vehicle and non-treated groups. The treatment with the combined gel reduced tissue lesion at histopathology, decreased myeloperoxidase activity in gingival tissue and inhibited the growth of oral microorganisms as well as the weight loss. Carvacrol and chalcones combination gel has a beneficial effect upon EPD in this model. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Assessment of a bioactive compound for its potential antiinflammatory property by tight junction permeabilityPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2005Young Hoon Bai Abstract Lactobacillus probiotic strains are proving to be abundant sources of bioactive components, including antiinflammatory components. Lifree was made of fruits fermented by Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus reuterrii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This study was designed to test these compounds in cell assays measuring epithelial barrier function and proliferation in the first instance. Cell proliferation was measured in mouse fibroblasts cells (3T3NIH) and rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6), and tight junction activity in the kidney epithelial cell line (MDCK). Tight junction permeability was assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) across confluent monolayers, following the addition of Lifree with or without a challenge with EGTA. Lifree promoted tight junction formation and recovery following loss of TER from challenge with EGTA. On the other hand, Lifree did not stimulate cell growth in either 3T3NIH and IEC-6 cells. Lifree stimulates tight junction maintenance and formation, suggesting it may have potential antiinflammatory properties. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Antioxidative properties of lycopene and other carotenoids from tomatoes: Synergistic effectsBIOFACTORS, Issue 1-4 2004John Shi Lycopene is the major carotenoid in tomatoes. Tomatoes contain a matrix of many bioactive components, including vitamin C, vitamin E, other carotenoids (a-, ,-, ,- carotene, lutein), and flavonoids. Their synergistic interactions, when used in combination, may be responsible for the observed beneficial effects of tomato-based products. This study investigated the synergistic antioxidant activity of lycopene in combination with ,-carotene, vitamin E, and lutein. A liposome system was used to test the synergistic antioxidant activity. The carotenoid mixtures were more efficient in protecting liposome from oxidation than the individual carotenoid. Mixtures of lycopene and vitamin E appear to have the greatest synergistic antioxidant activity. [source] Simultaneous determination of twelve bioactive constituents in Buyang Huanwu decoction by HPLC-DAD-ELSD and HPLC-TOF/MSBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2010E-Hu Liu Abstract Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHYD) is a classical traditional Chinese medicinal prescription that has been widely used for treating cerebrovascular illnesses for hundreds of years. In this study, a comprehensive analytical method has been developed for quantitative analysis of the major constituents in BYHWD. This method was based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array and evaporative light scattering detectors (HPLC-DAD-ELSD) on a common reverse-phase C18 column. HPLC coupled with on-line time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF/MS) was additionally adopted to provide further validation for the constituents. It was found that 0.3% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile was the optimum mobile phase for gradient elution. This method, which showed excellent precision and accuracy, was successfully applied to quantify the bioactive constituents in six BYHWD products. The validated HPLC-DAD-ELSD method, together with the HPLC-TOF/MS analysis, provided a new basis for assessing the quality of traditional Chinese medicinal prescription consisting of many bioactive components. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Development of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods for the quantitative analysis of herbal medicine in biological fluids: a reviewBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2010Michael J. Gray Abstract The development of liquid chromatography,mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and tandem MS/MS for the analysis of bioactive components and their metabolites of herbal medicines in biological fluids is reviewed with the aim of providing an overview of the current techniques and methods used. The issues and challenges associated with various stages of the analytical method development are discussed using Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng as case studies. LC-MS offers selectivity and specificity in both the chromatographic separation and detection steps. This is necessary in order to measure compounds at extremely low concentrations as is often observed in plasma and urine samples. Traditional methods of detection (UV,visible) do not offer sufficient selectivity and specificity needed. The strategies and pitfalls involved with the measurement of such compounds are discussed in this review. Matrix effects, ,unseen' matrix suppression and enhancement ionization effects can significantly reduce the accuracy and precision of the measurement. The impact of the correct choice of chromatography column formats on signal-to-noise ratio is also discussed. Analytical methods from sample preparation to mass spectrometric detection is outlined in order to provide good direction for analysts intent on the measurement of bioavailable compounds from herbal medicines in plasma and urine samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] LC-MS analysis for the components captured by ECV304 cell from extract of Aconitum szechenyianum Gay.BIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2009Jiang-Feng Yuan Abstract A novel method of cell affinity screening (CAS), cell affinity capture coupled with LC-MS analysis, was developed for screening the bioactive compounds related to cardiovascular diseases from the natural product libraries. One of the major characteristics lies in its function in affinity-capturing and separating the bioactive components from the natural product libraries in vitro. Another characteristic is its use in analyzing and identifying the target compounds, by employing high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. CAS was used for screening the bioactive components from the alkaloid extract derived from Aconitum szechenyianum Gay. Of the five components found to be bound to the oxidative-damaged endothelial cells, the two compounds identified, mesaconitine and aconitine, were recognized in the literature as being related to cardiovascular diseases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Determination of oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and amygdalin in the flower of Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. by HPLCBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2007Chunhua Zhou Abstract Simple and accurate HPLC methods were developed for the determination of oleanolic acid (OA), ursolic acid (UA) and amygdalin in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) flower, which is commonly used for the treatment of various diseases as a traditional Chinese medicine. HPLC assay was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column and all three compounds were detected at 210 nm with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The mobile phase consisted of methanol (A) and 0.03 mol/L phosphate buffer (pH 2.8) (B) with a ratio of 88:12 (A:B, v/v) for simultaneous detection of OA and UA, and 25:75 (A:B, v/v) for detection of amygdalin. The established methods showed good precision and accuracy with overall intra-day and inter-day variation of 0.99,3.55 and 1.05,4.05%, respectively, and overall recoveries of 97.37,99.32% for the three compounds. Application of these methods to determine the OA, UA and amygdalin contents in loquat flower showed that cultivar had a minor effect on the contents of all three compounds, with average amounts of 0.38,0.51 mg OA/g dry weight (DW), 2.15,2.68 mg UA/g DW and 1.23,1.56 mg amygdalin/g DW among five loquat cultivars tested. However, developmental stages and flower tissues showed significant effect on the contents of all three bioactive components. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Determination of rhein, baicalin and berberine in traditional Chinese medicinal preparations by capillary electrophoresis with two-marker techniqueBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2004Liu Huitao Abstract A CZE method for the identi,cation and determination of three bioactive components, rhein, baicalin and berberine, was developed, with 10 mm borate at pH 9.20 as background electrolyte and direct UV detection at 254 nm. The two-marker (glycyrrhizin acid and cefalexin) technique was used to improve the repeatability of analysis. When the migration indices were used, the repeatability was greatly enhanced compared with migration times. The apparent dissociation constents of rhein and baicalin were also obtained. This method has been successfully applied to the simultaneous analysis of the three components with the recoveries from 96.7% to 104.6%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||