Comparative Study of Useful Compounds Extracted from Lophanthus anisatus by Green Extraction.

Essential oils were obtained from different parts of Agastache foeniculum (Lophanthus anisatus) plants by means of extraction: green extraction using hydro-distillation (HD) and bio-solvent distillation, BiAD, discontinuous distillation, and supercritical fluid extraction, in two stages: (1) with CO2, and (2) with CO2 and ethanol co-solvent. The extraction yields were determined. The yield values varied for different parts of the plant, as well as the method of extraction. Thus, they had the values of 0.62 ± 0.020 and 0.92 ± 0.015 g/100 g for the samples from the whole aerial plant, 0.75 ± 0.008 and 1.06 ± 0.005 g/100 g for the samples of leaves, and 1.22 ± 0.011 and 1.60 ± 0.049 g/100 g for the samples of flowers for HD and BiAD, respectively. The yield values for supercritical fluid extraction were of 0.94 ± 0.010 and 0.32 ± 0.007 g/100 g for the samples of whole aerial plant, 0.9 ± 0.010 and 1.14 ± 0.008 g/100 g for the samples of leaves, and 1.94 ± 0.030 and 0.57 ± 0.003 g/100 g for the samples of flowers, in the first and second stages, respectively. The main components of Lophanthus anisatus were identified as: estragon, limonene, eugenol, chavicol, benzaldehyde, and pentanol. The essential oil from Agatache foeniculum has antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, the Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Acclimatization of Lophantus anisatus in Romania gives it special qualities by concentrating components such as: estragole over 93%, limonene over 8%, especially in flowers; and chavicol over 14%, estragole over 30%, eugenol and derivatives (methoxy eugenol, methyl eugenol, etc.) over 30% and phenyl ether alcohol over 20% in leaves. As a result of the research carried out, it was proven that Lophanthus anisatus can be used as a medicinal plant for many diseases, it can be used as a spice and preservative for various foods, etc.

Reclaim and Valorization of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) By-Product: Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Characterization.

The by-product resulting from the production of the sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) juice may be a functional food ingredient, being a valuable source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, minerals, and fatty acids. For checking this hypothesis, two extracts were obtained by two different methods using 50% ethyl alcohol solvent, namely through maceration-recirculation (E-SBM) and through ultrasound extraction (E-SBUS), followed by concentration. Next, sea-buckthorn waste (SB sample), extracts (E-SBM and E-SBUS samples) and the residues obtained from the extractions (R-SBM and R-SBUS samples) were characterized for the total polyphenols, flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, mineral contents, and fatty acids profile. The results show that polyphenols and flavonoids were extracted better by the ultrasound process than the other methods. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the E-SBUS sample was 91% higher (expressed in Trolox equivalents) and approximately 45% higher (expressed in Fe2+ equivalents) than that of the E-SBM sample. Regarding the extraction of minerals, it was found that both concentrated extracts had almost 25% of the RDI value of K and Mg, and also that the content of Zn, Mn, and Fe is significant. Additionally, it was found that the residues (R-SBM and R-SBUS) contain important quantities of Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, and Fe. The general conclusion is that using the ultrasound extraction method, followed by a process of concentrating the extract, a superior recovery of sea-buckthorn by-product resulting from the juice extraction can be achieved.

In vitro assessment of the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of a novel dietary supplement.

Studies on the immunopharmacological activities of various plant species have provided evidence for the high therapeutic potential of different extracts. These represent a promising alternative to reduce the inflammatory processes and, thus, diseases related to inflammation. Numerous scientific studies strongly suggest that diet plays an essential role in inflammation, and that certain dietary factors can act as preventive or treatment methods to lower inflammation. In the present study, a novel lingonberry-based dietary supplement was investigated for the ability to suppress the inflammatory response in activated monocytes/macrophages. Based on cell viability/proliferation and cytotoxicity tests, concentrations between 40 and 130 µg/ml of the extracts showed a high viability/proliferation effect and no cytotoxic activity in monocyte/macrophage cells. To further investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of our novel lingonberry-based dietary supplement, we studied the effect of the extract on the inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. We found that the extract exhibited a strong anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting the expression of major inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α] in activated monocyte/macrophage cells. The expression of IL-6 and IL-8 was subsequently validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In conclusion, we demonstrated that our product exhibits no cytotoxicity and suppresses inflammation, and thus can be considered a natural important tool for inflammation control.