RESUMO
The bioactive compounds of four Saudi date flesh extracts (Ambara (AF), Majdool (MF), Sagai (SF), and Sukkari (SKF)) prepared using different extraction methods-namely, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), subcritical CO2 extraction (SCE), and Soxhlet extraction (SXE)-were evaluated. A total of 19 bioactive compounds were detected in extracts prepared using SFE and SCE methods, whereas less than 12 compounds were detected in extracts obtained using the SXE method. Both the date variety and extraction method affected the phenolic profile of date flesh extract (p ≤ 0.05). The apparent viscosity, surface color, and bioactive properties of yogurt were affected by both date flesh extracts and storage duration in varied magnitudes (p ≤ 0.05). The incorporation of date flesh extracts into yogurt formulations increased the total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH antiradical activity, viscosity, and redness (a*) and decreased the lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) of the developed product (p ≤ 0.05). The elongation of storage time progressively (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the pH, TPC, DPPH antiradical activity, bacterial counts, and L* and b* values and increased the acidity, syneresis, viscosity, and a* values with few exceptions. Date flesh extracts can improve the health quality of yogurt without major influence on the sensory attributes while stored at 4 °C.
RESUMO
Date (Phoenix dactylifera) seed is a potential source of natural antioxidants, and the use of innovative green and low temperature antioxidant recovery techniques (using CO2 as solvent) such as supercritical fluid (SFE) and subcritical (SubCO2) extractions can improve their yields and quality in the extracts. SFE, SubCO2 and Soxhlet techniques were employed to enrich antioxidants in extracts from Sukari (SKSE), Ambara (AMSE), Majdool (MJSE) and Sagai (SGSE) date seeds. Extract yields were evaluated and modelled for SFE extract using response surface methodology. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) phenolics (143.48−274.98 mg GAE/100 g), flavonoids (78.35−141.78 mg QE/100 g), anthocyanins (0.39−1.00 mg/100 g), and carotenoid (1.42−1.91 mg BCE/100 g) contents were detected in extracts obtained using SFE and SubCO2 methods. The evaluation of in vitro antioxidant properties showed that SFE and SubCO2 seed extracts demonstrated promising antioxidant (13.42−23.83 µg AAE/mL), antiradical (228.76−109.69 µg/mL DPPH IC50), ferric reducing antioxidant power (1.43−2.10 mmol TE/100 g) and ABTS cation scavenging (375.74-717.45 µmol TE/100 g) properties that were significantly higher than Soxhlet extracts. Both SFE and SubCO2 techniques can be effectively utilized as innovative and environmentally friendly alternatives to obtain high quality antioxidant rich extracts from date seed. These extracts may have potential functional and nutraceutical applications.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rosin (Colophony) is a natural resin derived from species of the pine family Pinaceae. It has wide industrial applications including printing inks, photocopying paper, adhesives and varnishes, soap and soda. Rosin and its derivatives are employed as ingredients in various pharmaceutical products such as ointments and plasters. Rosin-based products contain allergens that may exert some occupational health problems such as asthma and contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: Our knowledge of the pharmaceutical and medicinal properties of rosin is limited. The current study aims at investigating the cytotoxic potential of Rosin-Derived Crude Methanolic Extract (RD-CME) and elucidation of its mode-of-action against breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB231). METHODS: Crude methanol extract was prepared from rosin. Its phenolic contents were analyzed by Reversed- Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical-scavenging assay. Antiproliferation activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cancerous cells was investigated by MTT assay; its potency compared with doxorubicin as positive control and specificity were assessed compared to two non-cancerous cell lines (BJ-1 and MCF-12F). Selected apoptosis protein markers were assayed by western blotting. Cell cycle analysis was performed by Annexin V-FITC/PI FACS assay. RESULTS: RD-CME exhibited significant and selective cytotoxicity against the two tested breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB231) compared to normal cells as revealed by MTT assay. ELISA and western blotting indicated that the observed antiproliferative activity of RD-CME is mediated via the engagement of an intrinsic apoptosis signaling pathway, as judged by enhanced expression of key pro-apoptotic protein markers (p53, Bax and Casp 3) relative to vehicle solvent-treated MCF-7 control cells. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate the medicinal anticancer and antioxidant potential of crude methanolic extract derived from colophony rosin. We provided evidence that RD-CME exhibits strong antioxidant and anticancer effects. The observed cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 is proposed to take place via G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Colophony resin has a great potential to join the arsenal of plantderived natural anticancer drugs. Further thorough investigation of the potential cytotoxicity of RD-CME against various cancerous cell lines is required to assess the spectrum and potency of its novel activity.
