Activity profiling of Serbian and some other European Merlot wines in inflammation and oxidation processes.

Merlot are worldwide recognized red wines. Several studies show that red wines have health benefits, mainly due to their phenolic constituents. This study evaluates twelve Serbian and other five European (French, Italian, Macedonian, Slovenian, Spanish) Merlot wines in respect of their phenolic composition and biological activity. The latter was evaluated through a set of in vitro experiments related to common benefits of moderate red wine consumption in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Among the examined phenolics, the most abundant acid in all samples was the gallic acid (14.3-58.3 mg/L), catechin (9.1-49.3 mg/L) was the dominant flavonoid, malvidin-3-O-glucoside (2.63-66.5 mg/L) leading anthocyanin, whereas resveratrol was found in a usual concentration (0.18-4.67 mg/L). Differences determined in phenolic profiles, mainly in content of quercetin, rutin and p-coumaric acid, leaded to separation of Serbian from foreing Merlot wines. Results of standard antioxidant assays (DPPH•, ABTS•+ and •NO scavenger capacity reducing power (FRAP), lipid peroxidation) revealed French Merlot as the most potent, but also pointed out some Serbian samples. The correlation between the content of dominant phenolics and antioxidant activity was sporadic, but samples with the highest overall phenolic content, generally had higher antioxidant potential. Concentration of wines and number of cells in ant-inflammatory assay were chosen to mimic in vivo conditions. So, the potency of examined wines to decrease the production of macrophage-derived PGE2 and TXA2 (up to 65.5 and 47.9%, respectively), could be considered as in vitro evidence of positve health effect. Regarding the phenolic content and anti-inflammatory contribution of the most abundant compounds, no correlation was witnessed. In general, this study showed interesting potential of Serbian Merlot wines, comparable to health-promoting effects of renewed Eurepean ones.

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.

Comparative study of biological activities and phytochemical composition of two rose hips and their preserves: Rosa canina L. and Rosa arvensis Huds.

The aim of this study was to compare phenolic profile, vitamin C content, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of rose hips and the preserves (purée and jam) of two Rosa species: renowned Rosa canina L. and unexplored Rosa arvensis Huds. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of 45 phenolics resulted in quantification of 14 compounds, with quercitrin, gallic and protocatechuic acids as the most dominant. High antioxidant potential of R. canina and a moderate activity of R. arvensis extracts were determined through several assays. Purée of both species and methanol extract of air-dried R. canina hips showed some anti-inflammatory (cyclooxygenase-1 and 12-lipooxygense inhibition potency) activity. Purée of R. canina exerted cytotoxic activity only against the HeLa cell line among several others (HeLa, MCF7, HT-29 and MRC-5). The presented results support traditional use of rose hips and their fruit preserves as food with health and nutritional benefits.

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.

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry study of anti-inflammatory activity of plantain (Plantago L.) species.

To evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of selected Plantago species (P. lanceolata L. and P. major L.) an optimized in vitro test for determination of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) inhibition potency was undertaken. By using intact cell system (platelets) as a source of COX-1 and 12-LOX enzymes and highly sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS technique for detection of main arachidonic acid metabolites formed by COX-1 and 12-LOX, this test provides efficient method for evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of plant extracts and isolated compounds. Our results validated the well-known COX-1 inhibitory activity of P. lanceolata and P. major methanol extracts (concentration required for 50% inhibition (IC(50)) was 2.00 and 0.65 mg/ml, respectively). Furthermore, 12-LOX inhibitory activity of examined extracts was reported for the first time (IC(50)=0.75 and 1.73 mg/ml for P. lanceolata and P. major, respectively). Although renowned inhibitors, such as acetylsalicylic acid and quercetin showed higher activity, this study verifies P. lanceolata and P. major as considerable anti-inflammatory agents.

Plantain (Plantago L.) species as novel sources of flavonoid antioxidants.

To examine the antioxidant properties of methanol extracts of selected Plantago species (P. argentea Chaix., P. holosteum Scop., P. major L., P. maritima L., and P. media L.), various assays that measure free radical scavenging ability were carried out: DPPH, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, and nitric oxide scavenger capacity tests, reducing power (FRAP) assay, and Fe(2+)/ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation. In all of the tests extracts showed a potent antioxidant effect compared with BHT, a well-known synthetic antioxidant, and the extract of P. major, accepted as an official remedy. Besides, in examined extracts the total phenolic amount (ranging from 38.43 to 70.97 mg of GAE/g of dw) and the total flavonoid content (5.31-13.10 mg of QE/g of dw) were determined. Furthermore, the presence and content of selected flavonoids (luteolin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, apigenin, rutin, and quercetin) were studied using LC-MS/MS technique. LC-MS/MS analysis showed noticeable qualitative and quantitative differences between the species according to which the examined Plantago species could be regarded as a possible new source of natural antioxidants. In this study three of the species examined, P. maritima, P. argentea, and P. holosteum, have been analyzed for the first time.