Diet-Induced Rodent Obesity Is Prevented and the Fecal Microbiome Is Improved with Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis) Juice Powder.

Anthocyanin-rich edible berries protect against diet-induced obesity in animal models. Prevention is mediated through the bidirectional relationship with the fecal microbiome, and gut-derived phenolic metabolite absorption increases with physical activity, which may influence bioactivity. The objective of this study was to test elderberry juice powder on the development of diet-induced obesity and its influence on the fecal microbiome alone or in combination with physical activity. Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to one of four treatments, including (1) high-fat diet without wheel access; (2) high-fat diet with unlimited wheel access; (3) high-fat diet supplemented with 10% elderberry juice powder without wheel access; and (4) high-fat diet supplemented with 10% elderberry juice powder with unlimited wheel access. Body weight gain, fat pads, and whole-body fat content in mice fed elderberry juice were significantly less than in mice fed the control diet independent of wheel access. At the end of the study, active mice fed elderberry juice ate significantly more than active mice fed a control diet. There was no difference in the physical activity between active groups. Elderberry juice increasedBifidobacterium, promotedAkkermansia and Anaeroplasma, and prevented the growth of Desulfovibrio. Elderberry juice is a potent inhibitor of diet-induced obesity with action mediated by the gut microbiota.

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of American Elderberry Juice for Improving Cognition and Inflammation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Despite data showing that nutritional interventions high in antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties (anthocyanin-rich foods, such as blueberries/elderberries) may decrease risk of memory loss and cognitive decline, evidence for such effects in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is limited. This study examined preliminary effects of American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) juice on cognition and inflammatory markers in patients with MCI. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with MCI (n = 24, Mage = 76.33 ± 6.95) received American elderberry (n = 11) or placebo (n = 13) juice (5 mL orally 3 times a day) for 6 months. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, patients completed tasks measuring global cognition, verbal memory, language, visuospatial cognitive flexibility/problem solving, and memory. A subsample (n = 12, 7 elderberry/5 placebo) provided blood samples to measure serum inflammatory markers. Multilevel models examined effects of the condition (elderberry/placebo), time (baseline/3 months/6 months), and condition by time interactions on cognition/inflammation outcomes. Attrition rates for elderberry (18%) and placebo (15%) conditions were fairly low. The dosage compliance (elderberry-97%; placebo-97%) and completion of cognitive (elderberry-88%; placebo-87%) and blood-based (elderberry-100%; placebo-100%) assessments was high. Elderberry (not placebo) trended (p = 0.09) towards faster visuospatial problem solving performance from baseline to 6 months. For the elderberry condition, there were significant or significantly trending decreases over time across several markers of low-grade peripheral inflammation, including vasorin, prenylcysteine oxidase 1, and complement Factor D. Only one inflammatory marker showed an increase over time (alpha-2-macroglobin). In contrast, for the placebo, several inflammatory marker levels increased across time (L-lactate dehydrogenase B chain, complement Factor D), with one showing deceased levels over time (L-lactate dehydrogenase A chain). Daily elderberry juice consumption in patients with MCI is feasible and well tolerated and may provide some benefit to visuospatial cognitive flexibility. Preliminary findings suggest elderberry juice may reduce low-grade inflammation compared to a placebo-control. These promising findings support the need for larger, more definitive prospective studies with longer follow-ups to better understand mechanisms of action and the clinical utility of elderberries for potentially mitigating cognitive decline.

New esters from the essential oil of dry flowers of elder (Sambucus nigra L.).

BACKGROUND: Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) has relevance for the food, fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. Flowers of this species emit a very pleasant scent; for processing purposes, inflorescences are either collected from the wild or harvested from a cultivated crop. The study of elderflower-derived volatiles bears both phytochemical and commercial importance. RESULTS: Three samples of dry elderflower essential oil obtained from laboratory-scale hydrodistillations were analyzed. By use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, synthesis and NMR studies of chromatographic fractions of a distillation water extract prepared in a semi-industrial scale steam distillation, 252 constituents of the oil were identified; 115 compounds were not previously reported as elderflower volatiles, seven of which were new natural esters. Particularly interesting were those of isosenecioic (3-methylbut-3-enoic) acid because these were never before found in the plant kingdom. CONCLUSION: With these identifications, the known essential oil constituents accounted for 89.0-93.0% of the analyzed samples. Although the number of known S. nigra flower-derived volatiles is now quite high, further research (both analytical and olfactory) is needed to unveil all of the relevant contributions to the unique odor of elderflowers. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Anti-Inflammatory and Protective Effects of Water Extract and Bioferment from Sambucus nigra Fruit in LPS-Induced Human Skin Fibroblasts.

In this study, an attempt was made to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and protective effects of the Sambucus nigra fruit extract and its ferment obtained by fermentation with kombucha tea fungus. For this purpose, fermented and non-fermented extracts were compared in terms of their chemical composition by the HPLC/ESI-MS chromatographic method. The antioxidant activity of the tested samples was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays. Cytotoxicity was also determined using Alamar Blue and Neutral Red tests to assess the viability and metabolism of fibroblast and keratinocyte skin cells. Potential anti-aging properties were determined by their ability to inhibit the activity of the metalloproteinases collagenase and elastase. Tests showed that the extract and the ferment have antioxidant properties and stimulate the proliferation of both cell types. The study also assessed the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract and ferment by monitoring levels of the pro-inflammatory interleukins IL-6, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory IL-10 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated fibroblast cells. The results indicate that both the S. nigra extract and its kombucha ferment can be effective in preventing free-radical-induced cell damage and have positive effects on skin cell health.

Interaction of lectin Sambucus nigra with sialylated trisaccharides in the presence of osmolytes. Chronopotentiometric sensing.

Trisaccharides bind to their interaction partners-lectins relatively weakly, which makes detection of their complexes challenging. In this work, we show that an osmolyte presence improves the distinguishing complexes of lectin Sambucus nigra with trisialyllactoses with various binding affinities. The addition of osmolyte, non-binding sugar mannose significantly improved the precision of binding experiments performed using chronopotentiometric stripping at the electrode surface and fluorescence analysis in solution. Osmolytes minimized nonspecific interactions between binding sugar and lectin. Obtained findings can be utilized in any in vitro methods studying interactions of carbohydrates, respectively their conjugates with proteins. The study of carbohydrate interactions appears important since they play essential roles in a variety of biological processes including carcinogenesis.

Antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of water extracts from Sambucus nigra L. under different conditions.

INTRODUCTION: In folk medicine, dried white flowers of Sambucus nigra L. are used to make infusions, decoctions, and juices. AIM: The present article aims to study and compare the antioxidant activity of aqueous solutions of leaves and flowers of Sambucus nigra L obtained at different exposure times and assess the antibacterial activity of these solutions against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Salmonella NCTC 6017, Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 11994, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25093. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the physicochemical properties of aqueous extracts of leaves (fresh) and flowers (fresh and dry) of Sambucus nigra L collected from the Rhodope region of Bulgaria. The samples from Sambucus nigra L were analyzed to determine their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The diameters (in millimeters) of the growth inhibition zones of four pathogens were measured, and a comparative assessment of their antibacterial activity was made. RESULTS: The infusions of fresh blossoms and fresh leaves of Sambucus nigra L had the highest antioxidant activity at the total contact time of 30 minutes (82.7 mmol TE/100 ml) and 35 minutes (36.5 mmol TE/100 ml), respectively. The phenol-richest infusions were those made from dried flowers of Sambucus nigra L after a 30-minute contact time (86.7 mg GAE/ml). Of the four pathogens we studied, we found that the extracts affected partially only the pathogenic bacteria of Salmonella. CONCLUSIONS: The highest content of bioactive components was obtained from dried blossoms of Sambucus nigra L. for infusions with a total contact time of 30 minutes and for decoctions at a contact time of 45 minutes.

Phytochemical Profiling of Sambucus nigra L. Flower and Leaf Extracts and Their Antimicrobial Potential against Almond Tree Pathogens.

Despite extensive research on the chemical composition of elderberries and their numerous uses in pharmaceutical, beverage, and food production, there is still a lack of knowledge about Sambucus nigra leaves and flowers' antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens. In this study, the phytoconstituents of their aqueous ammonia extracts were first characterized by infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major phytocompounds identified in the flower extract were octyl 2-methylpropanoate; 3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydropyran-4-one; propyl malonic acid; adenine; and 1-methyl-2-piperidinemethanol. Concerning the leaf extract, 1,6-anhydro-ß-D-glucopyranose; oleic acid; 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole; 2,3-dihydro-benzofuran; and 4-((1E)-3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenol and other phenol derivatives were the main constituents. The potential of the extracts to act as bioprotectants was then investigated against three almond tree pathogens: Diaporthe amygdali, Phytophthora megasperma, and Verticillium dahliae. In vitro tests showed higher activity of the flower extract, with EC90 values in the 241-984 µg·mL-1 range (depending on the pathogen) vs. 354-1322 µg·mL-1 for the leaf extract. In addition, the flower extract led to full protection against P. megasperma at a dose of 1875 µg·mL-1 in ex situ tests on artificially-infected excised almond stems. These inhibitory concentrations were lower than those of commercial fungicides. These findings suggest that S. nigra aerial organs may be susceptible to valorization as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for the protection of this important crop.

Water-in-Oil-in-Water Double Emulsions as Protective Carriers for Sambucus nigra L. Coloring Systems.

The use of natural colorants is needed to overcome consumer concerns regarding synthetic food colorants' safety. However, natural pigments have, in general, poor stability against environmental stresses such as temperature, ionic strength, moisture, light, and pH, among others. In this work, water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) emulsions were used as protective carriers to improve color stability of a hydrophilic Sambucus nigra L. extract against pH changes. The chemical system comprised water and corn oil as the aqueous and oil phases, respectively, and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), Tween 80, and gum Arabic as stabilizers. The primary emulsion was prepared using a W1/O ratio of 40/60 (v/v). For the secondary emulsion, W1/O/W2, different (W1/O)/W2 ratios were tested with the 50/50 (v/v) formulation presenting the best stability, being selected as the coloring system to test in food matrices of different pH: natural yogurt (pH 4.65), rice drink (pH 6.01), cow milk (pH 6.47), and soy drink (pH 7.92). Compared to the direct use of the extract, the double emulsion solution gave rise to higher color stability with pH change and storage time, as corroborated by visual and statistical analysis.

Sambucus nigra: A traditional medicine effective in reducing inflammation in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sambucus nigra L. is a plant of European origin and popularly known as elder, elderberry, black elder, European elder, European elderberry, and European black elderberry, being described in pharmacopoeia of several countries. Its flowers and berries have been used in folk medicine to treat feverish conditions, coughing, nasal congestion, and influenza besides its popular use as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and diuretic agent. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the anti-inflammatory and the relaxant effect of the lyophilized aqueous extract obtained from S. nigra's flowers on in vivo and in vitro inflammation assays and on the isolated rat vascular and airway smooth muscle tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was investigated using carrageenan-induced inflammation model in the subcutaneous tissue of male Swiss mice orally treated with S. nigra extract (30, 100, 300 or 600 mg/kg). Leukocyte influx and the secretion of chemical mediators were quantified in the inflamed exudate. Additionally, histological analysis of the pouches was performed. N-Formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine-induced chemotaxis, lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-10 and NO production, and adhesion molecule expression (CD62L, CD49d and CD18, flow cytometry) were analyzed in vitro using oyster glycogen-recruited peritoneal neutrophils or macrophages (RAW 264.7) stimulated with LPS and treated with the extract (1, 10 or 100 µg/mL). The resolution of inflammation was accessed by efferocytosis assay, and the antinociceptive activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced mechanical hypersensitivity. Finally, the effect of the extract was evaluated in isolated rat aorta and trachea rings. RESULTS: The oral treatment with S. nigra promoted reduction in the neutrophil migration as well as the decrease of TNF, IL-1ß and IL-6 levels in the inflamed exudate. In vitro treatment with S. nigra decreased NO2-, TNF, IL-1ß and IL-6 and promoted increase of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated neutrophils. Similarly, the extract reduced the NO2-, TNF and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Rutin, the major constituent of S. nigra extract reduced NO2-, TNF, IL-1ß, and IL-6 and promoted the increase of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated neutrophils supernatant. The extract also shed CD62L and CD18 expressions. The extract was able to increase the efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by increasing the IL-10 and decreasing the TNF levels. Additionally, the extract reduced the hypersensitivity induced by carrageenan and promoted a relaxant effect in isolated vascular and non-vascular rat tissue. CONCLUSIONS: S. nigra flowers extract presents anti-inflammatory effect by modulating macrophage and neutrophil functions including the production of inflammatory mediators and cell migration, by promoting efferocytosis and consequently the resolution of acute inflammation, besides exerting antinociceptive effects, scientifically proving its popular use as medicinal plant. Allied to the relaxant effect in both vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle tissue, S. nigra extract represents an important tool for the management of acute inflammation.

Green synthesis of bimetallic ZnO-CuO nanoparticles and their cytotoxicity properties.

In this study, a simple and green strategy was reported to prepare bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) by the combination of zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper oxide (CuO) using Sambucus nigra L. extract. The physicochemical properties of these NPs such as crystal structure, size, and morphology were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results suggested that these NPs contained polygonal ZnO NPs with hexagonal phase and spherical CuO NPs with monoclinic phase. The anticancer activity of the prepared bimetallic NPs was evaluated against lung and human melanoma cell lines based on MTT assay. As a result, the bimetallic ZnO/CuO NPs exhibited high toxicity on melanoma cancer cells while their toxicity on lung cancer cells was low.

Analysis of Cyanogenic Compounds Derived from Mandelonitrile by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Rosaceae and Sambucus Families.

An analytical method for extraction and quantitative determination of amygdalin, prunasin, and sambunigrin in plant material is described. The method is based on extraction with high-power ultrasound (UAE), with acidified water as solvent and quantification by HPLC-DAD. The best extraction conditions were: 80% sonication amplitude, 55 s extraction time, 70% duty cycle, 0.1 g sample mass, and 10 mL acidified water (0.1% perchloric acid). Once developed, the method was validated in terms of accuracy and precision. Good linearity was obtained, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999 and the quantification limits ranged from 2.2 µg/g (amygdalin) to 9.6 µg/g (sambunigrin). The accuracy (recovery study) ranged between 90 and 104% and the reproducibility of the method was always <2.3% (RSD). Special attention should be paid to the ratio sample/solvent in samples with potential ß-glucosidase activity to avoid degradation of the cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs). The proposed method was used to evaluate the content of CNGs in kernels of Prunus genera, apple seeds, apple pomace, and different plant materials of Sambucus nigra.

Ovarian steroid hormone secretion by human granulosa cells after supplementation of sambucus nigra l. extract.

Beneficial effects of Sambucus nigra L. (black elder) as a traditional medicine have been associated with the phytoconstituents including polyphenols, terpenes and lectins. Various antioxidant rich natural products have also been implicated with improvement of reproductive health and fertility, however, the effect of Sambucus nigra on the ovarian cell functions has not been investigated yet. The objectives of the present study were to screen the polyphenols in the elderflower and elderberry extracts, and to examine the secretion activity of steroid hormones 17beta-estradiol and progesterone by human ovarian granulosa cells HGL5 after supplementation of the extracts at a concentration range of 12.5 to 100 microg.ml-1. Qualitative as well as quantitative screening of polyphenols by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis revealed rutin to be the most abundant polyphenol in both elderflower and elderberry extracts. In culture, neither elderflower nor elderberry extract caused any significant impact (p>0.05) in cell viability as studied by AlamarBlue assay in comparison to control. However, a dose-dependent stimulation of 17beta-estradiol release was detected by ELISA after supplementation of elderflower (at 50 microg.ml-1; p<0.01) and elderberry (at 100 microg.ml-1; p<0.05) extracts at higher doses used in the study. On the other hand, both elderflower and elderberry extracts stimulated the secretion of progesterone by HGL5 cells at a lower dose (12.5 microg.ml-1; p<0.05), as compared to control. Therefore, elderflower and elderberry extracts may have the potential to regulate steroidogenesis in ovarian cells.

Biological Actions and Molecular Mechanisms of Sambucus nigra L. in Neurodegeneration: A Cell Culture Approach.

Sambucus nigra flowers (elderflower) have been widely used in traditional medicine for the relief of early symptoms of common cold. Its chemical composition mainly consists of polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and triterpenes. Although the antioxidant properties of polyphenols are well known, the aim of this study is to assess the antioxidant and protective potentials of Sambucus nigra flowers in the human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell line using different in vitro approaches. The antioxidant capacity is first evaluated by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) methods. Cell viability is assessed by the crystal violet method; furthermore, the intracellular ROS formation (DCFH-DA method) is determined, together with the effect on the cell antioxidant defenses: reduced glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzyme activities (GPx, GR). On the other hand, mTORC1 hyperactivation and autophagy blockage have been associated with an increase in the formation of protein aggregates, this promoting the transference and expansion of neurodegenerative diseases. Then, the ability of Sambucus nigra flowers in the regulation of mTORC1 signaling activity and the reduction in oxidative stress through the activation of autophagy/mitophagy flux is also examined. In this regard, search for different molecules with a potential inhibitory effect on mTORC1 activation could have multiple positive effects either in the molecular pathogenic events and/or in the progression of several diseases including neurodegenerative ones.

Effects of elderflower extract enriched with polyphenols on antioxidant defense of salmon leukocytes

BACKGROUND: In fish farming, the plant extracts containing antioxidant compounds have been added to the diet for enhancing pathogen resistance. In vitro studies evaluating the antioxidant effect of herbal extracts on fish cell models have focused on ROS production and the respiratory burst mechanism. However, the effects on enzymatic antioxidant defense on salmon leukocytes have not been evaluated. This study aims to evaluate the enzymatic antioxidant defense and ROS-induced cell damage in Salmon Head Kidney-1 (SHK-1) cell line exposed to polyphenol-enriched extract from Sambucus nigra flowers. RESULTS: Firstly, the Total Reactive Antioxidant Power (TRAP) assay of elderflower polyphenol (EP) was evaluated, showing 459 and 489 times more active than gallic acid and butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT), respectively. The toxic effect of EP on salmon cells was not significant at concentrations below 120 mg/ mL and no hemolysis activity was observed between 20 and 400 mg/mL. The treatment of SHK-1 cell line with EP decreased both the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation induced by H2O2, which could be associated with decreasing oxidative stress in the SHK-1 cells since the GSH/GSSG ratio increased when only EP was added. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that plant extracts enriched with polyphenols could improve the enzymatic antioxidant defense of salmon leukocytes and protect the cells against ROS-induced cell damage

Sambucus Nigra Extracts-Natural Antioxidants and Antimicrobial Compounds.

Due to the health-promoting properties of elderberry fruits, which result from their rich chemical composition, this raw material is widely used in herbal medicine and the food industry. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the antibacterial activity of the elderberry fruit extracts. The research showed that the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts determined their antibacterial activity. The research showed that the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts determined their antibacterial activity. The following phenolic acids were predominant: chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, and t-cinnamic acid. Their average content was, respectively, 139.09, 72.84, 51.29 mg/g extract. Rutin and quercetin (their average content was 1105.39 and 306.6 mg/g extract, respectively) were the dominant flavonoids. The research showed that the elderberry polyphenol extracts exhibited activity against selected strains of bacteria within the concentration range of 0.5-0.05%. The following bacteria were the most sensitive to the extracts: Micrococcus luteus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas fragii, and Escherichia coli. Of the compounds under analysis, apigenin, kaempferol and ferulic, protocatechuic, and p-coumarin acids had the greatest influence on the high antibacterial activity of elderberry extracts. The results of the microbiological and chemical analyses of the composition of the extracts were analyzed statistically to indicate the bioactive compounds of the greatest antimicrobial significance.

Improvement of Naturally Derived Food Colorant Performance with Efficient Pyranoanthocyanin Formation from Sambucus nigra Anthocyanins Using Caffeic Acid and Heat.

Consumers and regulations encourage the use of naturally derived food colorants. Anthocyanins (ACN), plant pigments, are unstable in foods. In aged red wines, ACN with a free hydroxyl group at C-5 condenses to form pyranoanthocyanins (PACN), which are more stable but form inefficiently. This study attempted to produce PACN efficiently using high cofactor concentration and heat. Elderberry anthocyanins were semi-purified and caffeic acid (CA) was dissolved in 15% ethanol and diluted with a buffer to achieve ACN:CA molar ratios of 1:50, 1:100, 1:150, and 1:200, then incubated at 65 °C for 5 days. The effect of temperature was tested using ACN samples incubated with or without CA at 25 °C, 50 °C, and 75 °C for 7 days. Compositional changes were monitored using uHPLC-PDA-MS/MS. Higher CA levels seemed to protect pigment integrity, with ACN:CA 1:150 ratio showing the highest tinctorial strength after 48 h. PACN content growth was fastest between 24 and 48 h for all ACN:CA ratios and after 120 h, all ACN had degraded or converted to PACN. PACN formed faster at higher temperatures, reaching ~90% PACN in 24 h and ~100% PACN in 48 h at 75 °C. These results suggest that PACN can form efficiently from elderberry ACN and CA if heated to produce more stable pigments.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities of Stimunex® and Stimunex D3® in human monocytes/macrophages stimulated with LPS or IL-4/IL-13.

Macrophages exert an important role in maintaining and/or ameliorating the inflammatory response. They are involved in the activation of an immune response to pathogens, with a balance between the immunomodulatory role and tissue integrity maintenance, however, excessive macrophage activity promotes tissue injury and chronic disease pathogenesis. There is a high interest in evaluating the anti-inflammatory properties of new botanical preparations. Stimunex® and Stimunex D3® are two food supplements formulated as syrups, containing the extract of elderflower (Sambucus nigra, Caprifoliaceae), standardized in polyphenol (6%) and anthocyanins (4%), associated with wellmune WGP® ß-glucan, with the addiction of vitamin D3 (in Stimunex D3® formulation). The aim of the work was the evaluation of Stimunex® and Stimunex D3® activity in human polarized-macrophages, in order to support their use as supplement for preventing and reducing the inflammatory processes. In primary human stimulated macrophages, both syrups were able to revert LPS- and IL-4/IL-13-mediated response, reducing the release of several pro-inflammatory cytokines. Results support that these standardized botanical preparations fortified with ß-glucan, may have a potential use in the prevention and coadjuvant management of inflammatory process as respiratory recurrent infections and other similar conditions. Moreover, the addition of vitamin D3 revealed to be an advantage in Stimunex D3® for its important role in maintaining and enhancing the innate immune response.

Therapeutic Effect of Bilsaan, Sambucus nigra Stem Exudate, on the OVA-Induced Allergic Asthma in Mice.

Asthma is characterized by the elevated level of Th2 immune responses, oxidative stress, and airway inflammation. Bilsaan, an exudate from the stem of Sambucus nigra, has been traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments in Saudi Arabia. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of Bilsaan against ovalbumin- (OVA-) induced allergic asthma in a mouse model. In order to induce allergic asthma, mice were intraperitoneally injected with alum-emulsified-OVA (20 µg/mouse) on days 0, 14, and 21 that is followed by an intranasal OVA exposure from days 22 to 30. During this time, mice were orally administered with Bilsaan at the doses of 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg. The numbers of total and differential inflammatory cells and the levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and IgE were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Moreover, the therapeutic effect of Bilsaan was also assessed to analyze the oxidative stress and inflammatory changes in the lung tissues. The results demonstrated that Bilsaan treatment significantly reduced the total and differential inflammatory cell count in the BALF. The BALF from the mice treated with Bilsaan showed significantly lower levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IgE. Interestingly, a similar pattern was observed in IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 secreted by OVA-sensitized splenocytes from the mice of various groups. Bilsaan treatment alleviated the status of oxidative stress by modulating malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase levels in the lung. Moreover, Bilsaan treatment reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells, thickening of alveolar wall, and congestion in the lung tissues. The findings of the present study demonstrated an antiasthmatic effect of Bilsaan through the modulation of Th2 immune responses, inflammation, and the oxidative stress.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) as potential source of antioxidants. Characterization, optimization of extraction parameters and bioactive properties.

The present study aimed to characterize the nutritional value and potential use of elderberries as a source of antioxidant compounds. The chemical composition, fatty acids and phenolic compounds were determined for elderberries. The optimization of extraction parameters was designed with a Box-Behnken design coupled with response surface methodology (RSM) and desirability function analysis. The process parameters tested included extraction temperature, % of ethanol and pH, while response variables were global extraction yield, total phenolic and anthocyanins content (TAC), carotenoids and antioxidant activity. Analyses revealed that elderberry was a rich source of total soluble solids, proteins and polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3: 38.12 g/100 g and omega-6: 39.54 g/100 g fatty acids). Regarding phenolic compounds, elderberries were found abundant in flavonoids (rutin and quercetin), and phenolic acids (i.e. gallic acid and gentisic acid). Finally, numerical optimization indicated that the best extraction parameters were the following: temperature 60 °C, 50% of ethanol and pH 2.

The Content of Selected Minerals, Bioactive Compounds, and the Antioxidant Properties of the Flowers and Fruit of Selected Cultivars and Wildly Growing Plants of Sambucus nigra L.

This study compared the mineral content and bioactive properties of flowers and fruit coming from wild elderberry plants with those of flowers and fruit harvested from elderberry cultivars grown in an orchard. Elderberry fruit and flowers were analyzed for the content of selected minerals, phenolic compounds, and anthocyanins, as well as for antioxidant activity. Mineral content was determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry method, while antioxidant activity and the content of polyphenols and anthocyanins were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Flowers were found to contain more total ash and much higher content of most of minerals, except magnesium which was present in high concentrations in fruit. Fruit showed significantly higher antioxidant activity than flowers, whereas the total phenolic content varied depending on the growing location or cultivar. The material obtained from selected cultivars growing in an orchard had higher antioxidant activity and polyphenol and anthocyanin content than the material obtained from wild plants. Fruit of the "Haschberg" cultivar and flowers of the "Sampo" cultivar had the best bioactive properties of the studied samples.