Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, Phenolic Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Raw and Germinated Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seeds.

The consumption of chia seeds has become popular due to their beneficial health properties and the germination of chia seeds seems to further enhance these properties. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the nutritional composition of chia seeds after germination for 3 and 6 days. Chemical composition, fatty acid profile, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were determined. The indices of lipid quality, atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, and the n-6/n-3 ratio were calculated. Chia sprouts presented a significant increase in minerals, proteins, and a reduction in total lipid content with maintenance of lipid quality. Total phenolic content decreased significantly as germination time increased, but there was a significant increase in the amount of rosmarinic acid. Chia sprouts showed a significant increase in antioxidant potential when compared to raw chia seeds. As a conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that chia seed germination is a simple, economical, and short-term process capable of improving the nutritional composition of the seeds.

Echinodorus macrophyllus fraction with a high level of flavonoid inhibits peripheral and central mechanisms of nociception.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth.) Micheli is popularly used for acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. The anti-inflammatory activity was previously demonstrated for its flavonoid-enriched fractions. The aim of this work assessed the antinociceptive properties of both aqueous extract and its fractions. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: The antinociceptive activity was determined by acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin test, tail immersion test, hot-plate test, xylene-induced ear edema methods, and the evaluation of its mechanism was performed in the writhing model. The aqueous extract of Echinodorus macrophyllus (AEEm) was fractionated, yielding Fr20, and Fr40. Fr40 composition was determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Fr20 (all doses) and Fr40 (100 mg/kg) reduced the nociception in the tail-flick model. Both fractions increased the percentage of maximum possible effect with 25 mg/kg, in the hot-plate assay, at 60 min, while AEEm reduced pain only with 50 and 100 mg/kg. There was a reduction in xylene-edema index, with Fr40 (25 mg/kg), AEEm (50 mg/kg) and Fr20 (50 mg/kg). All doses of AEEm, Fr20, and Fr40 reduced both phases of the formalin model. In the abdominal contortion model, Fr40 presented the highest activity, reducing 96% of contortions and its antinociceptive mechanism was evaluated. The results indicated the involvement of NO and adrenergic activation pathways. The main components of Fr40 are swertisin, swertiajaponin, isoorientin 7,3'-dimethyl ether, swertisin-O-rhamnoside, isoorientin, isovitexin, isovitexin-Orhamnoside, and isovitexin-7-O-glucoside. The aqueous extract of E. macrophyllus leaves and its fractions exhibited significant analgesic effect, mediated through both peripheral and central mechanisms being considered a potentially antinociceptive drug.

Echinodorus macrophyllus: Hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives reduces neutrophil migration through modulation of cytokines, chemokines, and prostaglandin in the air-pouch model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In Brazil, Echinodorus macrophyllus (Alismataceae), popularly known as chapéu-de-couro, is used to treat inflammatory diseases. Previous studies have shown a significant decrease in the acute inflammation for the aqueous extract of E. macrophyllus (AEEm) and its ethanolic fraction (Fr20). AIM OF THE STUDY: This work fractionated Fr20, identified the fraction and substances responsible for the in vivo anti-inflammatory property, and demonstrated important immunomodulatory mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fr20 was fractionated using Sephadex LH-20, and the most active fraction was chromatographically analyzed (HPLC-DAD and UPLC-ESI-TOF-MS). Leukotriene B4, Prostaglandin E2, and cytokines were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and in vivo acute inflammation by the air pouch model. RESULTS: The subfractions SF1, SF3, and mainly the SF4 decreased NO levels (p < 0.05). SF3 and SF4 showed high DPPH scavenger activity. SF1 was more effective than SF4 in reducing vasodilation, redness, and leukocyte migration into the 4-h air pouch. SF1 inhibited 90.5% (100 mg/kg) and SF4 54.0% (50 mg/kg), mainly affecting the number of neutrophils. SF1 and SF4 reduced the protein level in the exudate. SF1 was also more effective in inhibiting neutrophil migration in a transwell assay (46.3%) and reduced (86.1%) the Leukotriene B4 level in the exudate. After five days of treatment, some SF1 anti-inflammatory mechanisms were evaluated in the air pouch's 24 h exudate and tissue. Despite the high level of inflammation of the control group in this condition, SF1 confirmed the decrease in the protein level and neutrophils migration into the pouch. It decreased the number of bone marrow cells, indicating a systemic effect of SF1. SF1 also decreased TNF-α (87%), IL-1ß (77%), CKCL1/KC (71.3%), and PGE2 (97.8%) and increased IL-10 (74.1%) levels in the air pouch exudate. Phytochemical analysis of SF1 indicates mainly hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives. CONCLUSION: Hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives present in SF1 are related to the crucial anti-inflammatory mechanisms of E. macrophyllus, decreasing the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, CKCL1/KC, LTB4, and PGE2 on the exudate. These results explain the reduction of vasodilatation, erythema, and neutrophil migration into the air pouch model, confirming this plant's anti-inflammatory potential.