The Effect of Consumption of a Nopal Cactus Fruit Juice on C-Reactive Protein Levels in Healthy Adults: Results from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Pilot Study.

The Nopal cactus grows widespread in many parts of the world, and in some areas is considered a noxious weed. In addition to the use of the stems and leaves (also called pads or cladodes) and fruits (prickly pears) as food, Nopal has a long use in traditional folk medicine. The fruit shares some constituents with the stems, and contains additional unique polyphenols and betalain pigments with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. A randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel-arm human study was performed to compare consumption of Nopal fruit juice (NFJ) to control (apricot) juice. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid were measured at baseline and after 8 and 12 weeks. Reduced CRP levels were seen in both the NFJ and control groups. The 21.0% reduction at 8 weeks in the NFJ group was significantly more robust than the 6.6% reduction in the control group (P <.05). The reduced CRP level within the NFJ group was highly significant at 8 weeks (P <.0001), and remained reduced by 10.6% at 12 weeks compared to baseline (P <.065). The CRP reduction was not significant within the control group. There was no significant difference in uric acid levels between the groups at either 8 or 12 weeks. The 5.2% increase in uric acid levels within the control group was highly significant at 8 weeks (P <.0003), remaining significant at 12 weeks (P <.04). In contrast, a transient 3.6% increase in uric acid in the NFJ group at 8 weeks (P <.02) returned almost back to baseline levels at 12 weeks. Consumption of NFJ was associated with significant reduction in the CRP inflammatory biomarker while maintaining uric acid well within healthy range.

Comparative assessment of physicochemical properties of unripe peach (Prunus persica) and Japanese apricot (Prunus mume)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the physicochemical properties of unripe peach-Prunus persica cv. Mibaekdo (Mibaekdo) and Prunus persica cv. Nagasawa Hakuho (Nagasawa Hakuho) as an alternative to food supplement while Japanese apricot (Prunus mume cv. Backaha) (Backaha) was used as a control sample.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The unripe fruits were analyzed for soluble solid ( ˚Brix), titratable acidity, pH, total polyphenol content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, amygdalin content, free amino acid content, organic acid content, free sugar content, and α-amylase activities.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total polyphenol content of unripe peach ranged between 137.27-151.64 µg/g whereas that of apricot was 160.73 µg/g. DPPH radical scavenging activities of Backaha was the highest (89.16%) followed by Mibaekdo (85.05%) and Nagasawa Hakuho (41.50%). The highest amount of oxalic acid (612.8 mg/100 g) was observed in Mibaekdo while that of Nagasawa Hakuho and Backaha were (184.6±18.1) and (334.8±16.1) mg/100 g, respectively. Amygdalin contents of Mibaekdo, Nagasawa Hakuho and Backaha were 486.61, 548.60 and 174.28 µg/g, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results suggest that the unripe fruit of peach has a significant biochemical potential of using as a food supplement with potential health benefit for human health.</p>

Comparative assessment of physicochemical properties of unripe peach (Prunus persica) and Japanese apricot (Prunus mume)

Objective: To investigate the physicochemical properties of unripe peach-Prunus persica cv. Mibaekdo (Mibaekdo) and Prunus persica cv. Nagasawa Hakuho (Nagasawa Hakuho) as an alternative to food supplement while Japanese apricot (Prunus mume cv. Backaha) (Backaha) was used as a control sample.Methods:The unripe fruits were analyzed for soluble solid (?Brix), titratable acidity, pH, total polyphenol content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, amygdalin content, free amino acid content, organic acid content, free sugar content, and α-amylase activities.Results:Total polyphenol content of unripe peach ranged between 137.27-151.64 μg/g whereas that of apricot was 160.73 μg/g. DPPH radical scavenging activities of Backaha was the highest (89.16%) followed by Mibaekdo (85.05%) and Nagasawa Hakuho (41.50%). The highest amount of oxalic acid (612.8 mg/100 g) was observed in Mibaekdo while that of Nagasawa Hakuho and Backaha were (184.6±18.1) and (334.8±16.1) mg/100 g, respectively. Amygdalin contents of Mibaekdo, Nagasawa Hakuho and Backaha were 486.61, 548.60 and 174.28 μg/g, respectively.Conclusions:The results suggest that the unripe fruit of peach has a significant biochemical potential of using as a food supplement with potential health benefit for human health.

Phenolic compounds and vitamins in wild and cultivated apricot (Prunus armeniaca L) fruits grown in irrigated and dry farming conditions

BACKGROUND: Turkey is the main apricot producer in the world and apricots have been produced under both dry and irrigated conditions in the country. In this study, phenolic compounds and vitamins in fruits of one wild (Zerdali) and three main apricot cultivars ('Cataloglu', 'Hacihaliloglu' and 'Kabaasi') grown in both dry and irrigated conditions in Malatya provinces in Turkey were investigated. RESULTS: The findings indicated that higher content of phenolic compounds and vitamins was found in apricot fruits grown in irrigated conditions. Among the cultivars, 'Cataloglu' had the highest rutin contents both in irrigated and dry farming conditions as 2855 µg in irrigated and 6952 µg per 100 g dried weight base in dry conditions and the highest chlorogenic acid content in irrigated and dry farming conditions were measured in fruits of 'Hacihaliloglu' cultivar as 7542 µg and 15251 µg per 100 g dried weight base. Vitamin C contents in homogenates of fruit flesh and skin was found to be higher than ß-caroten, retinol, vitamin E and lycopen contents in apricot fruits both in irrigated and dry farming conditions. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that apricot fruits grown in both dry and irrigated conditions had high health benefits phytochemicals and phytochemical content varied among cultivars and irrigation conditions as well. However, more detailed biological and pharmacological studies are needed for the demonstration and clarification of health benefits of apricot fruits.

Accumulation of Antioxidants in Apricot Fruit through Ripening: Characterization of a Genotype with Enhanced Functional Properties

Two apricot genotypes, 'Gonci magyarkajszi' and 'Preventa' were assayed at three ripening stages for flesh color indices (L*, a*, b*, C* and Hº), contents of total phenolics and vitamin C, and both water- and lipid-soluble antioxidant capacities (ferric reducing antioxidant power; 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity; total radical scavenging activity; and Photochem lipid-soluble antioxidant capacity) to compare their dynamics in the accumulation of antioxidant compounds and capacities through ripening. The increase in a*, b* and C* and decrease in Hº during ripening represented a color shift from green to yellow and orange due to carotenoid accumulation. Parallel to carotenoid accumulation, contents of total phenolics and vitamin C and antioxidant capacity increased significantly (p < 0.05) from unripe to fully ripe fruits. More phenolics and vitamin C accumulated in fully ripe fruits of 'Preventa' than 'Gonci magyarkajszi'. The accumulation patterns of these compounds were different: while the vitamin C contents in unripe fruit of 'Preventa' and 'Gonci magyarkajszi' were identical (approx. 6 mg/100 g fresh weight), unripe 'Preventa' contained even more phenolics (approx. 12 mmolGA/l) than fully ripe 'Gonci magyarkajszi' (8 mmolGA/l). Our results confirm that fully ripe 'Preventa' fruits are characterized by outstanding functional properties due to the increased accumulation of vitamin C and phenolics throughout the ripening process.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bitter and sweet apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. ) kernels

The present study describes the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of methanol and water extracts of sweet and bitterapricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels. The antioxidant properties of apricot kernels were evaluated by determining radicalscavenging power, lipid peroxidation inhibition activity and total phenol content measured with a DPPH test, the thiocyanatemethod and the Folin method, respectively. In contrast to extracts of the bitter kernels, both the water and methanol extracts ofsweet kernels have antioxidant potential. The highest percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation (69%) and total phenolic content (7.9± 0.2 μg/mL) were detected in the methanol extract of sweet kernels (Hasanbey) and in the water extract of the same cultivar,respectively. The antimicrobial activities of the above extracts were also tested against human pathogenic microorganismsusing a disc-diffusion method, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of each active extract were determined. Themost effective antibacterial activity was observed in the methanol and water extracts of bitter kernels and in the methanol extractof sweet kernels against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the methanol extracts of the bitterkernels were very potent against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (0.312 mg/mL MIC value). Significant anti-candidaactivity was also observed with the methanol extract of bitter apricot kernels against Candida albicans, consisting of a 14 mm indiameter of inhibition zone and a 0.625 mg/mL MIC value.

Estimating evapotranspiration by capacitance and neutron probes in a drip-irrigated apricot orchard / Estimación de la evapotranspiración por capacitancia y sondas neutrónicas en una plantación de albaricoque irrigada por goteo / Estimação da evapotranspiração por capacitância e sondas neutrônicas em uma plantação de damasco irrigada por goteejamento.

This paper describes how a neutron probe (NP) and a multi sensor capacitance probe (MCP) can be used for monitoring the soil water content in order to develop a soil water balance and to estimate the evapotranspiration (ETc) of an apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) crop. The van Genuchten model was applied to estimate water drainage below the active root zone, based on the measurements from both devices. Average crop evapotranspiration (ETc), estimated from the soil water balance for the whole period (17 months), was 1.6 and 1.5mm/day for NP and MCP, respectively, while the crop evapotranspiration calculated by the Penman-Monteith method (ETc-FAO) was 2.3mm/day. Drainage measured by both devices was negligible. The ETc measured by MCP was better correlated with the ETc measured by FAO methodology than with that corresponding to NP. A good correlation between the ETc values measured by NP and MCP was found. However, MCP permits continuous recording of the soil water content, is cheaper and less dangerous, while NP produces more accurate measurements than MCP.

En este trabajo se describe la forma en que un sensor de neutrones (SN) y una sonda multisensor de capacitancia (SMSC) pueden ser utilizados para el monitoreo del contenido de agua del suelo, a fin de establecer un balance hídrico de agua y estimar la evapotranspiración (ETc) en un cultivo de albaricoque (Prunus armeniaca L.). El modelo de van Genuchten fue aplicado para estimar el drenaje bajo la zona activa radical, con base en las mediciones hechas con los dos artefactos. La evpotranspiración promedio de la siembra (ETc), estimada a partir del balance de agua del suelo para todo el período (17 meses) fue de 1,6 y 1,5mm/día para SN y SMSC, respectivamente, mientras que la evapotranspitación calculada por el método de Penman-Monteith (ETc-FAO) fue de 2,3mm/día. El drenaje medido por ambos artefactos fue despreciable. La ETc medida con la SMSC resultó mejor correlacionada con la medida por la metodología de la FAO que aquella correspondiente al SN. Se encontró una buena correlación entre los valores de ETc medidos por SN y por SMSC. No obstante, la SMSC permite un registro continuo del contenido de agua del suelo, es más económica y menos peligrosa, mientras que el SN produce mediciones más precisas que la SMSC.

Neste trabalho se descreve a forma em que um sensor de nêutrons (SN) e uma sonda multisensor de capacitância (SMSC) podem ser utilizados para a monitoração do conteúdo de água do solo, a fim de estabelecer um balanço edáfico hídrico e estimar a evapotranspiração (ETc) em um cultivo de damasco (Prunus armeniaca L.). O modelo de van Genuchten foi aplicado para estimar a circulação de água sob a zona ativa radical, com base nas medições feitas com os dois artefatos. A evapotranspiração media da plantação (ETc), estimada a partir do balanço de água do solo para todo o período (17 meses) foi de 1,6 e 1,5mm/dia para SN e SMSC, respectivamente, enquanto a evapotranspiração calculada pelo método de Penman-Monteith (ETs-FAO) foi de 2,3mm/dia. A circulação medida por ambos os artefatos foi desprezível. A ETs medida com a SMSC resultou melhor correlacionada com a medida pela metodologia da FAO que aquela correspondente ao SN. Encontrou-se uma boa correlação entre os valores de ETs medidos por SN e por SMSC. No entanto, a SMSC permite um registro continuo do conteúdo de água do solo, é mais econômica e menos perigosa, enquanto que o SN produz medições mais precisas que a SMSC.

Study on Quality Standard of Apricot Kernel Cough Mixture / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the quality control method of apricot kernel cough mixture.Methods Chinese ephedra,liquorice and honeysuckle in apricot kernel cough mixture were qualitative examined by thin-layered chromatography(TLC),and the content of ephedrine hydrochloride was measured by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Results The spots in the TLC of Chinese ephedra,liquorice and honeysuckl were in the same color with those in the chormatograms of control articles.For ephedrine hydrochloride,linear range was 0.020 0～0.200 0 ?g and the average recovery was 99.22%.Conclusion The quality control is simple,accurate and highly sensitive.The methods can be used for quality control of apricot kernel cough mixture.

Clinical observation on fatty liver treated by wild apricot in Xinjiang Uighur nationality / 中华中医药杂志

Objective:To observe the clinic effect of wild apricot in Xinjiang Uighur nationality on fatty liver.Methods:With a western medicine group as the control group,the treatment courses of both two groups were 12 weeks.The trial group was given wild apricot decoction orally,the control group was given vitamin B,C and Glucurolactone tables.Results:Wild apricot exerted a significant effect in lowering the fat and treating the fatty liver without any toxic and side-effects.Conclusion:Wild apricot in Xinjiang Uighur nationality served as a vital treatment to fatty livers,which was worth being further promoted in the clinical therapy.

Study on Refining of Ephedra, Apricot kernel, Gypsum, and Licorice Decoction and Redujing Granules by Microfiltration Technique of Inorganic Ceramic Membrane / 中成药

Objective: To evaluate effect of refining of the aqneous extract solution of compound Chinese traditional medicine by microfiltration technique of inorganic ceramic membrane. Methods: The aqneous extract solution of Ephedra, Apricot kernel, Gypsum, and Licorice Decoction and Redujing Granules were processed by microfiltration technique of inorganic ceramic membrane. The changes in the characters, whole solids and effective componds before and after process were studied. Results: The aqueous extract solution of compound Chinese traditional medicine all were turbid before microfiltering and became clear after microfiltrating. The whole solid of Ephedra, Apricot kernel, Gypsum, and Licorice Decoction were decreased by 16.12%, and the lost rates of ephedrine and amygdalin were 20.11% and 18.06% respectively. The whole solid of Redujing Granules were decreased by 27.58%, and the lost rates of chlorogenic acid and rhein were 18.28% and 22.86% respectively. Conclusion: The microfiltration technology of inorganic ceramic membrane has the better effects of clarification and removing impurity on the aqueous extract solution of compound Chinese traditional medicine.

Analysis of amygdalin of Ephedra spp.and Apricot Kernel Cough Lozenge by HPLC / 中成药

Objective: Assay of amygdalin of Ephedra spp. and Apricot Kernel Cough Lozenge (ephedrine hydrochloride, Semen Armeniacae Amarum, etc.) by HPLC. Methods: Amygdalin was extracted with methanol. The separation was performed by HPLC and amygdalin was determined with UV detector. Results: The contents of amygdalin of Ephedra spp. and Apricot Kernel Cough Lozenge was 0.476% and 1.53mg per lozenge. Conclusion: The method was simple, accurate, rapid and with good reproducibility. It can be used for quality control of Ephedra spp. and Apricot Kernel Cough Lozenge.