Combining multivariate image analysis with high-performance thin-layer chromatography for development of a reliable tool for saffron authentication and adulteration detection.

In this work, high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with multivariate image analysis (MIA) is proposed as a fast and reliable tool for authentication and adulteration detection of Iranian saffron samples based on their HPTLC fingerprints. At first, the secondary metabolites of saffron were extracted using ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction (UASE) which was optimized using central composite design (CCD). Next, the RGB coordinates of HPTLC images were used for estimation of saffron origin based on principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA scores plot showed that saffron samples were clustered into two clear-cut groups which was 92% matched with the geographical origins of the samples. In the next step, common plant-derived adulterants of saffron including safflower, saffron style, calendula, and rubia were investigated with MIA analysis of HPTLC images using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) at 5-35% (w/w) levels. The PLS-DA results showed proper classification of saffron and adulterants with sensitivity 99.14%, specificity 96.94%, error rate 1.96% and accuracy 98.04. Also, the effect of HPTLC injection volume on the performance of the proposed strategy was evaluated. The ability of the proposed method was then investigated by analyzing two additional sample sets including mixed samples of four plant-derived adulterants and adulterated commercial samples. Sensitivity and specificity of this model were 100% which confirmed its validity.

Protective effect of punicalagin, the main polyphenol compound of pomegranate, against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats.

Acrylamide (ACR) is widely used in industries. Oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways are important mechanisms behind ACR-induced hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Regarding to antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of punicalagin (PUN), the protective effect of this agent on ACR-induced toxicity in rat was evaluated. Rats were divided into seven groups: control, ACR (50 mg/kg/day, i.p.), PUN (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/day, i.p.) plus ACR, vitamin E (200 mg/kg, i.p.) plus ACR, and PUN groups. After 11 days, the gait score test was evaluated. Then, the animals were sacrificed and the malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) contents were determined in the brain and liver tissues. Apoptosis-involved factors and myelin basic protein (MBP) were determined by western blotting. Severe movement disorder, MDA enhancement, and GSH reduction in the brain and liver tissues were observed in ACR-treated animals. The Bax/Bcl2 ratio and caspase-3 levels were enhanced in the tested tissues. ACR elevated the level of aspartate aminotransferases and decreased serum protein and albumin concentration. PUN recovered movement disorders, changed the level of markers which are important in oxidative stress and reduced apoptosis. Also, PUN increased the MBP level which was reduced due to ACR toxicity. PUN can protect against ACR-induced toxicity through antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.

Crocin prevents haloperidol-induced orofacial dyskinesia: possible an antioxidant mechanism.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term treatment with antipsychotics causes serious side effects such as tardive dyskinesia that characterized by abnormal movements in the orofacial region. Oxidative stress in the brain specific area is implicated in the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia. In this study the protective effect of crocin on haloperidol-induced orofacial dyskinesia was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Haloperidol (1 mg/kg, IP) and crocin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, IP) were administrated to rats for 21 days. Behavioral assessments such as orofacial dyskinesia movements, open field test and elevated plus maze (EPM) were evaluated every week. Malondealdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in the hippocampus, cortex and striatum were also measured. RESULTS: Haloperidol increased vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) and tongue protrusions (TPs) in rats and co-administration of crocin (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly reduced them. Furthermore, haloperidol decreased the locomotor and exploratory activities (rearing) in the open field test and decreased the percentage of entries into open arms and the percentage of the time spent on open arms in the EPM. Pretreatment with crocin (10 mg/kg) modified haloperidol effects on these behavioral parameters. Haloperidol induced lipid peroxidation in three brain regions, whereas crocin co-administration reduced the MDA and restored the decreased GSH levels. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests that oxidative stress has an important role in the development of tardive dyskinesia. Crocin showed protective effect against haloperidol induced tardive dyskinesia and as a potent naturally antioxidant could be a new and useful drug and a possible therapeutic option for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.