Hepatoprotective effect of meal replacement seeds juice based on sweet potato (MRSJ) against CCl4-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells.

A sweet potato-based Meal Replacement Seeds Juice (MRSJ) was developed by mixing sweet potatoes and carrots with four types of seeds. Consuming the MRSJ rather than the whole vegetables or whole seeds improved digestive function, proving that it is suitable for the elderly. Its rich composition of minerals, vitamins, and unsaturated fatty acids implicates it as an excellent nutrient source. Notably, the ethyl acetate fraction of MRSJ contains abundant phenolics. The antioxidant activity assays showed that these phenolics have high radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and antioxidant capacity similar to l-ascorbic acid. The ethyl acetate fraction exerted protective effects against CCl4- or H2O2-induced hepatotoxicity via DNA protection, lipid accumulation inhibition, and cell protection, wherein ALT and AST activities in the cell culture solution decreased significantly. These findings suggest that MRSJ consumption may protect against liver diseases. Moreover, MRSJ as an excellent nutrient source may be developed as an age-neutral food.

Comparison of Antioxidant Properties of Evening Primrose Seeds by Different Processing Methods, and Physiological Properties of Evening Primrose Seed Powder.

This study proposes the processing method that could maximize the functional properties of evening primrose seeds (EPS) and its various nutritional components. EPS can be prepared by different methods, such as being left raw, roasting, steaming, and powdering. Processing of EPS to create EPS powder (EPSP) resulted in higher levels of vitamin E, fatty acids, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant activity, compared with the other processing methods. Also, EPSP maintained lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity for 49 days. In particular, the EPSP ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction exhibited high antioxidant, antidiabetic, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activities. The EPSP ethyl acetate fraction showed a high cytoprotective effect against H2O2-induced cell damage in both RAW264.7 and EA.hy926 cells. In addition, the EtOAc fraction showed anti-inflammatory activity by the inhibitory activity of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW264.7 cells, and antihypertensive activity by the activity of NO in EA.hy926 cells. These results suggest that EPSP could be useful as a food ingredient that assists the prevention of various diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Synergistic effect of fruit-seed mixed juice on inhibition of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and activation of NO production in EA.hy926 cells.

Commonly consumed fruit juices possess low inhibitory activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), which plays central role in elevation of blood pressure. The ACE inhibitory activity of fruit-seed mixed juice may be improved via synergistic interactions. In this study, the investigated synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effects of fruit-seed combination on ACE inhibition were investigated. Thirteen fruits and 15 seeds including legumes, nuts, and cereals were combined in pairs; pear-hemp seed-pumpkin seed juice (3-mixed juice) displayed the highest ACE inhibition resulting from synergistic interactions. Additionally, nitric oxide production in human endothelial cells was promoted by 3-mixed juice. Three-mixed juice showed antioxidant activities such as DNA protective, DPPH radical scavenging, and reducing effects. These results suggested that combinations of different food categories are beneficial for improving biological functions such as vascular health. Three-mixed juice, which shows high ACE inhibitory activity, may be useful as an anti-hypertensive agent and for treating hypertension.

Mixed seeds juice with high antioxidant capacity and digestive enzyme activity and its application.

To investigate the synergistic and combined effects of a seed-vegetable combination, oilseed crops (safflower seed, evening primrose seed, and sesame seed) and cereals (whole buckwheat grain) were extracted with carrot using a low-speed juice extractor. Nutrient composition showed that the mixed seeds juice provided a well-balanced diet to supplement nutrient deficiency. Four assays of antioxidant activities showed that all seed juices exhibited higher activities than carrot juice. Similarly, mixed seeds juice displayed the highest α-amylase and protease activities, implicating the formulation in the improvement of the relatively low digestibility of seed. These results indicated that juice extraction significantly (p<0.001) influenced the nutrient contents, antioxidant activities, and digestion enzyme activities of seed juice. The synergistic and combined interactions of seeds and vegetables may be beneficial in enhancing biological functions and result in a well-balanced diet.