In-vitro Assessment of Cholinesterase Inhibitory and Thrombolytic Activity of Six Available Citrus Fruits in Bangladesh: Relevant for Treating Neurodegenerative Disorder

Aim: Citrus fruits are well known for its medicinal and food value. Aim of this study is to investigate acetylcholinesterase ((AChE)) inhibitory activity, butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activity, total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols content and thrombolytic activities of crude methanol extracts of 6 citrus fruits (Citrus limon, Citrus aurantifollia, Citrus bergamia, Citrus maxima, Citrus sinensis and Citrus macroptera). Methods: The fruits were extracted by using methanol as solvent. Ellman’s colourimetric method was applied to determine both cholinesterase inhibitory activities, while folin-ciocalteau reagent (FCR) and aluminium chloride were used to quantify total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonol content of those fruits. Blood clot lysis method was applied for determining the thrombolytic activity of those fruits. Results: All citrus fruits contain a good amount of phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols. C. maxima found more prominent in containing phenolics and flavonols compare to other citrus fruits, with 414.06 ± 2.87 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/gm and 12.94 ± 1.31 mg Catechin Equivalent/gm dried extract respectively. Citrus sinensis showed the highest content in flavonoids with 21.16± 1.37 mg Catechin 20 Equivalent /gm dried extract. Citrus fruits are also a quality source of cholinesterase inhibitors. All the examined citrus fruits were found capable of inhibiting both acetylcholinesterases (AChE) as well as butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). C. bergamia was most effective in inhibiting AChE with IC50 of 27.18 µg/ml where C. macroptera was best in inhibiting BuChE (IC50 32.5 µg/ml). But none of the citrus fruits was found fit for thrombolytic activity. Conclusion: Citrus fruits are found the sound in inhibiting AChE and BuChE as well as containing Phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols. But they lack in their thrombolytic activity.

Dietary intakes of citrus fruit and risk of gastric cancer incidence: an adaptive meta-analysis of cohort studies / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: In the context of supplementary antioxidants having no anticancer effect, it is important to update the meta-analysis to evaluate whether there is an association between intake of citrus fruit and gastric cancer risk. METHODS: The list of articles to be searched was established using citation discovery tools provided by PubMed and Scopus. The effect size of each article to be used in meta-analysis was calculated using the interval-collapse method. Summary effect size (sES) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained by conducting this meta-analysis. Random effect dose–response meta-regression (DRMR) was performed to investigate the dose–response relationship. RESULTS: A total of five cohort studies were selected. The result was 13% reduction of gastric cancer according to the intake of citrus fruit (sES, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.99; I-squared=69.6%). In subgroup analysis, it was found that the intake of citrus fruit inhibited cardia gastric cancer (CGC) (sES, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.81; I-squared=46.1%) and as a result of DRMR, 100 g of citrus fruit intake per day inhibits CGC by 40% (relative risk, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the intake of citrus fruit inhibits the development of CGC. This conclusion can be used as a primary prevention measure in the future when the incidence of CGC may be on the rise.

Chitosan reduces infection by Guignardia citricarpa in postharvest 'Valencia' oranges

Citrus fruits are affected by the black spot disease caused by Guignardia citricarpa. Resistance induction is an alternative control measure and chitosan exhibits potential as resistance inducer. The effect of chitosan on G. citricarpa was evaluated in vitro and in 'Valencia' oranges. Citrus fruit were immersed into different chitosan concentrations. Chitosan (2 percent), combined with or without thiabendazole and the citric acid was also investigated. All the chitosan concentrations inhibited G. citricarpa mycelial growth and affected morphologically the conidial germination and appressorium formation. Chitosan inhibited the development of new lesions in oranges at room condition or under refrigeration. Thiabendazole and citric acid did not reduce the formation of lesions. Biochemical analysis revealed that chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activities were increased in chitosan-treated fruits. Thus, the effect of chitosan on the reduction of black spots in 'Valencia' oranges could be due to the germicidal effect on the pathogen and/or resistance induction in the fruit.

Frutos cítricos são afetados pela mancha preta dos citros, causada por Guignardia citricarpa.A indução de resistência é uma alternativa de controle e a quitosana exibe potencial como indutor de resistência. O efeito da quitosana sobre G. citricarpa foi avaliado in vitro e em laranjas 'Valência'. Frutos cítricos foram imersos em diferentes concentrações de quitosana. Quitosana (2 por cento), associada ou não com tiabendazol e ácido cítrico, foi também avaliada. Todas as concentrações de quitosana inibiram o crescimento micelial de G. citricarpa e afetaram morfologicamente a germinação dos conídios e a formação de apressórios. Quitosana inibiu o desenvolvimento de novas lesões em laranjas em condições ambiente e sob refrigeração. Tiabendazol e ácido cítrico não reduziram o aparecimento de novas lesões. Análises bioquímicas revelaram que atividades de quitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase e polifenoloxidase aumentaram em frutos tratados com quitosana. Portanto, a capacidade da quitosana na redução da mancha preta em laranja 'Valência' pode ser devida ao efeito germicida sobre o patógeno e/ou a indução de resistência no tecido do fruto.

Segurança no trabalho de aplicação de agrotóxicos com o pulverizador de pistolas em citros / Work safety in pesticide spraying of citrus fruits using hand gun sprayers

O presente estudo objetivou quantificar as exposições dérmicas e respiratórias proporcionadas pelas condições de trabalho de aplicação de agrotóxicos em cultura de citros com o pulverizador de pistolas; avaliar a eficiência de medidas de proteção individual e coletiva para esses trabalhadores; determinar as regiões mais expostas do corpo dos trabalhadores; e classificar as condições de trabalho, sem e com as medidas de proteção testadas, quanto à segurança ocupacional das recomendações de agrotóxicos registrados para o controle das principais pragas e doenças dessa cultura. Verifica-se que, para o tratorista, pulverizando com o pulverizador de pistolas, a medida de proteção mais eficiente foi o conjunto AZR e, para o aplicador, os dois conjuntos avaliados foram eficientes. Para o tratorista, as regiões mais expostas do corpo foram as coxas + pernas - frente, os pés e as mãos; e, para o aplicador foram, os pés e as mãos.

The purpose of this study envisaged the quantification of skin and respiratory exposures occasioned by work conditions during pesticide spraying of citrus fruits using hand gun sprayers; the evaluation of the efficiency of individual and group protection measures for the workers; the determination of workers' most exposed body regions; and the classification of work conditions, with and without the tested work-safety protection measures as recommended for the registered pesticides used to control the main pests and diseases that attack these types of trees and fruits. The AZR protection equipment proved to be the most efficient for the tractor driver, when spraying using pistol sprayers. The two sets of individual protection equipment that were checked also proved to be efficient. The most exposed regions of the tractor driver's body were the thighs, the front of the legs, the feet and hands. The most exposed regions of the individual sprayer working on foot were the hands and feet.