Phytochemical composition and in vitro functional properties of three wild rose hips and their traditional preserves.

The aim of the present study was investigation of the phenolic profile, ascorbic acid content, antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of rose hips and the preserves (purée and jam) of three insufficiently examined Rosa species: Rosa dumalis Bechst., R. dumetorum Thuill. and R. sempervirens L. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis resulted in quantification of 14 of the 45 phenolic compounds examined, with ellagic acid as the most dominant. Notable antioxidant activity of all three species was confirmed through several assays. Moderate inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by extracts of all investigated Rosa species was observed. Several extracts of examined Rosa species demonstrated inhibition potency towards production of some monitored eicosanoids in cyclooxygenase-1 and 12-lipoxygenase pathways. Two R. sempervirens extracts exerted cytotoxic activity against HeLa and HT-29 cell lines, but were inactive towards MRC-5 and MCF7. The results support the potential of these rose hips as food with health-promoting properties.

Crataegus orientalis Leaves and Berries: Phenolic Profiles, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity.

The present study was designed to define the phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Crateagus orientalis Pall. ex M. Bieb., traditionally used by local people in southern parts of F.Y.R. Macedonia. The presence and content of 7 phenolics in ethanolic extracts of leaves and berries were studied using HPLC-DAD, where the most dominant compounds were hyperoside, isoquercitrin and chlorogenic acid. The leaf extract was more effective as a DPPH radical scavenger (IC50 = 29.7 µg/g) than the berry extract, as well as in the relative reducing power on Fe³âº. Anti-inflammatory potential was studied by means of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) inhibitory activity; both extracts evinced activity. Furthermore, C. orientalis leaf extract showed a concentration dependent inhibition of COX-1 pathway products 12-HHT and TXB2, reaching IC50 values below the lowest applied concentration (68.9% and 55.2% of 12-HHT and TXB2 production inhibition, respectively, at concentration of 0.4 mg/mL). Although inhibitors such as acetylsalicylic acid and quercetin showed higher activity, this study demonstrates that the investigated extracts are potential anti-inflammatory agents.

Phenolic profile, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of black (Tuber aestivum Vittad.) and white (Tuber magnatum Pico) truffles.

The aim of this study was a comprehensive investigation on phenolic profile, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of the still insufficiently explored black summer truffles (Tuber aestivum Vittad.) and white (Tuber magnatum Pico) truffles. Methanol and water extracts, obtained by maceration and Soxhlet extraction, were examined. Forty-five phenolics was studied using LC-MS/MS: presence of 14 compounds was confirmed, with the most dominant being p-hydroxybenzoic acid, baicalein and kaempferol (T. aestivum), epicatechin and catechin (T. magnatum). Moderate antioxidant activity of both species was determined through several assays. Only T. magnatum showed anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting COX-1 and 12-LOX pathway products synthesis. Methanol extracts exerted cytotoxicity against some tumour cell lines (HeLa, MCF7, HT-29), besides the prominent activity of water extracts towards breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7). To conclude, these results support further investigations of phytochemicals and biological activity towards verification of nutraceutical use of both species.