Red Pine Bark Extract Alleviates Akt/GSK-3ß Signaling Disruption in the Hippocampus of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Sprague-Dawley Rats.

This study investigates whether red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) bark extract (PBE) can alleviate diabetes and abnormal apoptosis signaling pathways in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Two dosages of PBE (15 and 30 mg/kg of body weight/day) were administered orally to STZ-induced diabetic SD rats for 20 days. Blood glucose level and body weight were measured once per week. After 20 days of oral administration of PBE, the rat hippocampus was collected, and the production of Akt, p-Akt, GSK-3ß, p-GSK-3ß, tau, p-tau, Bax, and Bcl-2 proteins were determined by western blot analysis. A decrease in blood glucose level and recovery of body weight were observed in PBE-treated diabetic rats. In the Akt/GSK-3ß/tau signaling pathway, PBE inhibited diabetes-induced Akt inactivation, GSK-3ß inactivation, and tau hyperphosphorylation. The protein production ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was restored to the control group level. These results suggest that PBE, rich in phenolic compounds, can be used as a functional food ingredient to ameliorate neuronal apoptosis in diabetes mellitus.

Upcycled canola meal extract mitigates UVB-induced skin wrinkling by regulating photoaging-related biomarkers in hairless mice.

Canola meal, a by-product of processing canola into oil, reportedly contains high amounts of phenolic compounds and proteins. However, as canola meal is primarily used as feed for livestock, advances in multiple research fields are required to broaden its potential applications. Photoaging is caused by continuous exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. UV radiation generates reactive oxygen species and destroys collagen in the skin, thickening the epidermis, reducing elasticity, and causing wrinkles. We hypothesized that canola meal extract (CME) can mitigate the damage to skin associated with wrinkles induced by exposure to UVB radiation. To evaluate the anti-wrinkle effect, we administered CME orally to 40 female Hos:HR-1 hairless mice divided into 5 groups: (1) control mice, (2) a UVB group, and (3-5) CME-treated groups (CME-250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively). All groups except the controls were irradiated with UVB 3 times a week to create wrinkles due to photoaging. CME administration inhibited the increase of the number, mean length, and mean depth of wrinkles induced by UVB radiation as assessed using a skin replica. Histopathological image analysis revealed that CME administration resulted in a decrease in epidermal thickness and an increase in collagen content, while increasing catalase activity and hydroxyproline content in skin tissues. CME administration inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and decreased the production of collagenase and gelatinase. These results suggest that CME, an upcycled material, has the potential to develop into a healthful and functional food ingredient with anti-wrinkling effects.

Anti-photoaging effects of canola meal extract on human dermal fibroblasts against UVB-induced oxidative stress.

Canola meal, a by-product of canola oil processing, is a source of bioactive compounds that show antioxidant and skin anti-aging effects through upcycling (i.e., creative reuse). Here we describe the antioxidant and skin anti-aging effects of canola meal extract (CME) obtained by upcycling canola meal. The antioxidant capacity of CME is due in part to its antioxidative phenolics. Seven phenolics, including sinapine and sinapic acid, in CME were identified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Addition of CME (1000 µg/mL) to human dermal fibroblast neonatal cells  significantly (p < 0.05) reduced matrix metalloproteinase-12 production and increased pro-collagen Ι alpha 1 content in response to ultraviolet B-induced oxidative stress compared with cells without CME. These results suggest that CME can serve as a functional food ingredient with antioxidant capacity and anti-aging effects on the skin.

Phenolic changes in a combined herbal extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Houttuynia cordata, and Spirodela polyrhiza and alleviation of DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease showing skin barrier dysfunction, eczematous lesions, severe itching, and abnormal immune responses. The aim of this study was to determine whether an herb combination of Lithospermum erythrorhizon (LE), Houttuynia cordata (HC), and Spirodela polyrhiza (SP) has a superior anti-AD effect. Forty-two compounds were identified in LE, HC, SP, and a combined herb extract of LE, HC, and SP (LHS) using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-Orbitrap mass spectrometer (MS). The concentration of flavonoid glycosides including orientin (luteolin-8-C-glucoside), quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside in the LHS was increased than in individual extracts. Furthermore, the treatment of LHS most effectively inhibited the increase of epidermal thickness, the number of mast cells, and the release of immunoglobulin E compared with that with each extract. These results suggest that the potential anti-AD effects of the LHS are due to the changes of bioactive compounds by the combination of herbs. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01329-7.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Macrophage Activation Induced by Bioavailable Cinnamon Polyphenols in Mice.

SCOPE: Cinnamon is a commonly used spice and herb that is rich in polyphenols. Due to the limited bioavailability of oral polyphenols, it remains unclear to which extent they can reach cells and exert a biological effect. This study aims to investigate the impact of bioavailable cinnamon polyphenols on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. METHODS AND RESULTS: A polyphenol fraction is prepared from cinnamon (Cinnamomi ramulus) (CRPF) by boiling cinnamon in water and adsorbing the extract onto a hydrophobic resin. Mice are orally administered CRPF for 7 days and then subjected to three independent experiments: endotoxemia, serum collection, and macrophage isolation. Upon intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide challenge, CRPF decreases serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, involving suppression of liver and spleen macrophages. When normal macrophages are cultured in serum obtained from CRPF-treated mice, they exhibit an anti-inflammatory phenotype. However, macrophages from CRPF-treated mice show an increased production of inflammatory cytokines when cultured in fetal bovine serum and stimulated with LPS. CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence for the presence of bioavailable cinnamon polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties and macrophage activation. These findings suggest that cinnamon polyphenols have the potential to modulate macrophage function, which could have implications for reducing inflammation and improving immune function.

Anti-Amnesia-like Effect of Pinus densiflora Extract by Improving Apoptosis and Neuroinflammation on Trimethyltin-Induced ICR Mice.

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-amnestic property of Korean red pine bark extract (KRPBE) on TMT-induced cognitive decline in ICR mice. As a result of looking at behavioral function, the consumption of KRPBE improved the spatial work ability, short-term learning, and memory ability by Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. KRPBE suppressed antioxidant system damage by assessing the SOD activity, reduced GSH content, and MDA levels in brain tissue. In addition, it had a protective effect on cholinergic and synaptic systems by regulating ACh levels, AChE activity, and protein expression levels of ChAT, AChE, SYP, and PSD-95. Also, the KRPBE ameliorated TMT-induced mitochondrial damage by regulating the ROS content, MMP, and ATP levels. Treatment with KRPBE suppressed Aß accumulation and phosphorylation of tau and reduced the expression level of BAX/BCl-2 ratio and caspase 3, improving oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Moreover, treatment with KRPBE improved cognitive dysfunction by regulating the neuro-inflammatory protein expression levels of p-JNK, p-Akt, p-IκB-α, COX-2, and IL-1ß. Based on these results, the extract of Korean red pine bark, which is discarded as a byproduct of forestry, might be used as an eco-friendly material for functional foods or pharmaceuticals by having an anti-amnesia effect on cognitive impairment.

Newly identified maltol derivatives in Korean Red Ginseng and their biological influence as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

Background: Korean Red Ginseng is a major source of bioactive substances such as ginsenosides. Efficacy of red ginseng extract (RGE), which contains not only saponins but also various non-saponins, has long been studied. In the water-soluble component-rich fraction of RGE (WS), a byproduct generated in the process of extracting saponins from the RGE, we identified previously unidentified molecules and confirmed their efficacy. Methods: The RGE was prepared and used to produce WS, whose components were isolated sequentially according to their water affinity. The new compounds from WS were fractionized and structurally analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Physiological applicability was evaluated by verifying the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacies of these compounds in vitro. Results: High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed that the obtained WS comprised 11 phenolic acid and flavonoid substances. Among four major compounds from fractions 1-4 (F1-4) of WS, two compounds from F3 and F4 were newly identified in red ginseng. The analysis results show that these compound molecules are member of the maltol-structure-based glucopyranose series, and F1 and F4 are particularly effective for decreasing oxidative stress levels and inhibiting nitric oxide secretion, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a few newly identified maltol derivatives, such as red ginseng-derived non-saponin in the WS, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, making them viable candidates for application to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food materials.

Synthesis of Alpha-Linked Glucosides from Soybean Isoflavone Aglycones Using Amylosucrase from Deinococcus geothermalis.

Soybean isoflavone aglycones (SIAs) have many biological activities but are poorly water-soluble in the human body. Glycosylation provides structural diversity to SIAs and can alter their physicochemical properties, including water solubility. An alpha-linked glucosylation of SIA was achieved using amylosucrase from Deinococcus geothermalis. A total of 13 alpha-linked glucosyl SIAs were obtained, and their colors in solution were confirmed. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by mass spectrometry and multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The amylosucrase transglycosylation formed new isoflavone glycosides with alpha glycosidic bonds at C-7 and/or C-4' of SIAs, followed by the production of isoflavone glycosides with alpha (1 → 6) glycosidic bonds. The products with a glucosyl moiety attached to the C-4' of SIAs were found to be more water-soluble than their counterparts attached to the C-7 and/or beta-linkages. This study suggests a strategy for the synthesis of bioactive compounds with enhanced water solubility through alpha-linked glucosylation.

Correction: Curcuminoids, a major turmeric component, have a sleep-enhancing effect by targeting the histamine H1 receptor.

Correction for 'Curcuminoids, a major turmeric component, have a sleep-enhancing effect by targeting the histamine H1 receptor' by Min Young Um et al., Food Funct., 2022, 13, 12697-12706, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2FO02087D.

Statistical discrimination using different machine learning models reveals dissimilar key compounds of soybean leaves in targeted polyphenol-metric metabolomics in terms of traits and cultivation.

Soybean (SB) leaves (SLs) contain diverse flavonoids with health-promoting properties. To investigate the chemical constituents of SB and their correlations across phenotypes, growing periods, and environmental factors, a validated separation method for mass detection was used with targeted metabolomics. Thirty-six polyphenols (1 coumestrol, 5 flavones, 18 flavonols, and 12 isoflavones) were identified in SLs, 31 of which were quantified. Machine learning (ML) modelling was used to differentiate between the variety, bean color, growing period, and cultivation area and identify the key compounds responsible for these differences. The isoflavone and flavonol profiles were influenced by the growing period and cultivation area based on bootstrap forest modelling. The neural model showed the best predictive capacity for SL differences among the various ML models. Discriminant polyphenols can differ depending on the ML method applied; therefore, a cautious approach should be ensured when using statistical ML outputs, including orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis.

Effects of Phenolic-Rich Pinus densiflora Extract on Learning, Memory, and Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic Rats.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia with cognitive impairment. Various plant-derived phenolics are known to alleviate cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease by radical scavenging and strengthening synaptic plasticity activities. Here, we examined the cognition-improving effect of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. bark extract (PBE). We identified and quantified phenolics in the PBE using a UHPLC-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. To evaluate the cognition-enhancing effects of PBE, scopolamine-induced amnesic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (5 weeks old) and ion channel antagonist-induced organotypic hippocampal slices of SD rats (7 days old) were used. Twenty-three phenolics were tentatively identified in PBE, 10 of which were quantified. Oral administration of PBE to the scopolamine-induced SD rats improved cognitive impairment in behavioral tests. PBE-fed SD rats showed significantly improved antioxidant indices (superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and malondialdehyde content) and reduced acetylcholinesterase activity in hippocampal lysate compared with the scopolamine group. PBE increased the long-term potentiation (LTP) induction and rescued LTP from blockades by the muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist (scopolamine) and N-methyl-D-aspartate channel antagonist (2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid) in the organotypic hippocampal slices. These results suggest that polyphenol-rich PBE is applicable as a cognition-improving agent due to its antioxidant properties and enhancement of LTP induction.

Curcuminoids, a major turmeric component, have a sleep-enhancing effect by targeting the histamine H1 receptor.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) had been considered as a universal panacea in functional foods and traditional medicines. In recent, the sedative-hypnotic effect of turmeric extract (TE) was reported. However, sleep-promoting compounds in TE have been not yet demonstrated. Curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin) are the major constituents of turmeric being responsible for its various biological activities. Therefore, they can be first assumed to be sedative-hypnotic compounds of TE. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of curcuminoids and each constituent on the sleep-wake cycle of mice. Molecular docking studies, histamine H1 receptor (H1R) binding assays, and H1R knockout animal studies were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the sleep-promoting effects. Curcuminoids and their constituents reduced sleep latency and increased sleep duration in the pentobarbital-induced sleep test in mice. In addition, curcuminoids significantly increased the duration of NREMS and reduced sleep latency without altering the REMS and delta activity. Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin were predicted to interact with H1R in the molecular model. In the binding affinity assay, we found that curcuminoids, as well as their constituents, significantly bind to H1R with the Ki value of 1.49 µg mL-1. Furthermore, sleep latency was reduced and NREMS frequency was increased following curcuminoid administration in wild-type mice but not in H1R knockout mice. Therefore, we conclude that curcuminoids reduce sleep latency and enhance the quantity of NREMS by acting as modulators of H1R, indicating their usefulness in treating insomnia.

Korean Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) Bark Extract Attenuates Aß-Induced Cognitive Impairment by Regulating Cholinergic Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation.

In this study, we investigated the anti-amnesic effect of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) bark extract (KRPBE) against amyloid beta1-42 (Aß1-42)-induced neurotoxicity. We found that treatment with KRPBE improved the behavioral function in Aß-induced mice, and also boosted the antioxidant system in mice by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and reducing glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, KRPBE improved the cholinergic system by suppressing reduced acetylcholine (ACh) content while also activating acetylcholinesterase (AChE), regulating the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin. KRPBE also showed an ameliorating effect on cerebral mitochondrial deficit by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP levels. Moreover, KRPBE modulated the expression levels of neurotoxicity indicators Aß and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, p-IκB-α, and IL-1ß. Furthermore, we found that KRPBE improved the expression levels of neuronal apoptosis-related markers BAX and BCl-2 and increased the expression levels of BDNF and p-CREB. Therefore, this study suggests that KRPBE treatment has an anti-amnestic effect by modulating cholinergic system dysfunction and neuroinflammation in Aß1-42-induced cognitive impairment in mice.

Impact of coffee preparation on total phenolic content in brewed coffee extracts and their contribution to the body's antioxidant status.

Although coffee has been reported as a major contributor to antioxidants in the diet, there are limited studies assessing how brewing methods and types of coffee affect antioxidant capacity of coffee consumers. This study was aimed to investigate the impact of coffee preparation on total phenolic content in brewed coffee extracts and their contribution to antioxidant status. We examined how the different brewing methods affect total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in brewed coffee extracts, then assessed the antioxidant status of coffee consumers after drinking coffee. Results showed that consuming capsule versus French press coffee provides a higher total phenolic content and drinking capsule coffee leads to greater antioxidant status as shown by the higher total antioxidant capacity in urine. Further studies can expand on this by using a broader range of brewing methods to evaluate the contribution of brewing methods of coffee to antioxidant status.

Vitamin C Lowers Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats by Targeting Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme I Production in a Frequency-Dependent Manner.

The lowering blood pressure effect of vitamin C (VC) has been evaluated in various models. As VC has a fast degradation rate in the body after consumption, a study of the frequency-dependent manner of VC is essential for the sustained antihypertension effect of VC. In this study, we investigated the frequency and dose dependency of vitamin C (VC) on blood pressure reduction in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs) and SHRs were orally administered tap water or VC (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/60 kg/day). Blood pressures were measured using the tail-cuff method, and thoracic aortas, liver, and blood were harvested from sacrificed rats after 8 weeks to measure angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and total nitric oxide (NOx) concentration. VC decreased blood pressure from the fourth week with no significant differences between doses. The twice-a-day administration of VC decreased blood pressure from the second week, and the blood pressure in these groups was close to that of the WKY group in the eighth week. Treatment with once a day VC decreased ACE I production which was further significantly reduced in twice a day groups. Angiotensinogen and eNOS production were increased upon VC treatment but were not significant among groups. The NOx content was decreased by VC treatment. These results suggest that VC lowers blood pressure in SHRs by directly targeting ACE I production in a frequency-dependent manner and may improve endothelial function depending on the frequency of administration.

Antioxidant capacity of 12 major soybean isoflavones and their bioavailability under simulated digestion and in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

Soy isoflavones (SIs) show various health benefits, such as antioxidant and estrogenic effects. It is important to understand the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of SIs due to the close relation to their bioactivities. In this study, the antioxidant capacity, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability of 12 SIs were evaluated using radical-scavenging methods, simulations of human digestion, and Caco-2 cells in Transwell, respectively. All SIs were stable (91.1-99.2%) under gastric digestion conditions compared with the control (100%), whereas acetyl and malonyl conjugates were unstable (38.5% and 65.5%, respectively) under small intestinal digestion conditions. SI aglycones showed higher permeability (7-15 times) and cellular accumulation (8.8 times) than their glucosides. A small amount of SI conjugates was intact in the cell and in the basolateral side of each Transwell. These results suggest that SI conjugates, especially malonyl and acetyl forms, have incidental bioactivity after being metabolized to aglycones inside the cell.

Aurones and Flavonols from Coreopsis lanceolata L. Flowers and Their Anti-Oxidant, Pro-Inflammatory Inhibition Effects, and Recovery Effects on Alloxan-Induced Pancreatic Islets in Zebrafish.

(1) Background: Many flavonoids have been reported to exhibit pharmacological activity; a preparatory study confirmed that Coreopsis lanceolata flowers (CLFs) contained high flavonoid structure content; (2) Methods: CLFs were extracted in aqueous methanol (MeOH:H2O = 4:1) and fractionated into acetic ester (EtOAc), normal butanol (n-BuOH), and H2O fractions. Repeated column chromatographies for two fractions led to the isolation of two aurones and two flavonols; (3) Results: Four flavonoids were identified based on a variety of spectroscopic data analyses to be leptosidin (1), leptosin (2), isoquercetin (3), and astragalin (4), respectively. This is the first report for isolation of 2-4 from CLFs. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis determined the content levels of compounds 1-4 in the MeOH extract to be 2.8 ± 0.3 mg/g (1), 17.9 ± 0.9 mg/g (2), 3.0 ± 0.2 mg/g (3), and 10.9 ± 0.9 mg/g (4), respectively. All isolated compounds showed radical scavenging activities and recovery activities in Caco-2, RAW264.7, PC-12, and HepG2 cells against reactive oxygen species. MeOH extract, EtOAc fraction, and 1-3 suppressed NO formation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and decreased iNOS and COX-2 expression. Furthermore, all compounds recovered the pancreatic islets damaged by alloxan treatment in zebrafish; (4) Conclusions: The outcome proposes 1-4 to serve as components of CLFs in standardizing anti-oxidant, pro-inflammatory inhibition, and potential anti-diabetic agents.

Optimized enzymatic synthesis of digestive resistant anomalous isoquercitrin glucosides using amylosucrase and response surface methodology.

Diverse flavonoid glycosides are present in the plant kingdom. Advanced technologies have been utilized to synthesize glycosyl flavonoids which exhibit good physicochemical characteristics. Previously, novel isoquercitrin (IQ) mono-, di-, and tri-glucosides (IQ-G1', IQ-G2', and IQ-G3'; atypical IQ-Gs (IQ-Gap)) were synthesized through the reaction of amylosucrase. Here, the regio-selective transglycosylation yields were predicted using response surface methodology for three variables (glucose donor (sucrose; 100-1500 mM), glucose acceptor (IQ; 100-400 µM), and pH (5.0-8.8)) using 1 unit/mL of enzyme at 45 °C; then, the optima were verified according to the experimental responses. Acidity (pH 5.0) was a major contributor for IQ-G1' production (> 50%), and high sucrose concentration (1500 mM) limited IQ-G3' production (< 15%). Low sucrose concentration (100 mM) at pH 7.0 promoted higher glycosyl IQ production (> 30%). Time-course production of IQ-Gap showed an exponential growth with different rates. IQ-Gap was stable under the simulated intestinal conditions compared with typical IQ-Gs. Digestive stable IQ-Gap can be effectively synthesized by modulating reaction conditions; thereby, atypical glycosyl products may contribute to the elucidation of nutraceutical potential of flavonoid glycosides. KEY POINTS: •Predictions of RSM were validated for the regio-selective IQ-Gap production. • Time course changes of IQ-Gap indicate non-processive glycosylation of DGAS. • IQ-Gap exceed typical IQ-G in digestive stability at simulated intestinal condition.

Mixture of Phlorotannin and Fucoidan from Ecklonia cava Prevents the Aß-Induced Cognitive Decline with Mitochondrial and Cholinergic Activation.

The anti-amnesic effect of a mixture (4:6 = phlorotannin:fucoidan from Ecklonia cava, P4F6) was evaluated on amyloid-beta peptide (Aß)-induced cognitive deficit mice. The cognitive function was examined by Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests, and the intake of the mixture (P4F6) showed an ameliorating effect on Aß-induced learning and memory impairment. After the behavioral tests, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) contents were confirmed in brain tissue, and in the results, the mixture (P4F6) attenuated Aß-induced oxidative stress. In addition, mitochondrial activity was evaluated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway, and the mixture (P4F6) enhanced mitochondrial function. Furthermore, the mixture (P4F6) effectively regulated tau hyperphosphorylation by regulating the protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, and promoted brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissue. Moreover, in the cholinergic system, the mixture (P4F6) ameliorated acetylcholine (ACh) content by regulating acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) expression in brain tissue. Based on these results, we suggest that this mixture of phlorotannin and fucoidan (P4F6) might be a substance for improving cognitive function by effectively regulating cognition-related molecules.

Influence of production systems on phenolic characteristics and antioxidant capacity of highbush blueberry cultivars.

Blueberry is a crop grown worldwide due to the excellent quality and high polyphenol content of its fruit and tolerance to cold conditions. We investigated the influence of three production systems, namely an open field, heated greenhouse, and non-heated (plastic) greenhouse, on the phenolic characteristics (total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin content) and antioxidant capacities of "Spartan" (northern highbush), "Sharpblue" (southern highbush), and "O'Neal" (southern highbush) blueberry cultivars. The non-heated production system showed the highest phenolic characteristics and antioxidant capacity in "Spartan" and "O'Neal," while the open field production system showed the highest phenolic characteristics and antioxidant capacity in "Sharpblue." Derivatives of delphinidin and malvidin were two of the most abundant anthocyanins. The heated greenhouse production system resulted in larger amounts of delphinidin derivatives compared with the other production systems, while the blueberry grown in the non-heated greenhouse produced larger amount of malvidin derivatives. The anthocyanin profiles varied according to production system and blueberry cultivars. The principal component analysis loading plot of blueberries for individual anthocyanins explained over 95% of the total variance. In summary, the results of this study suggest that a strategic approach to blueberry production could elevate the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of cultivated blueberry. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The highbush blueberry, a rich source of bioactive polyphenols, is a popular fruit. The microclimate of the production system of highbush blueberries affects the concentrations of antioxidative phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins. Therefore, discovering and applying the appropriate method of production for each blueberry cultivar could facilitate production of high-quality blueberries rich in phenolic antioxidants.