Fermentation induced changes in bioactive properties of wine from Phyllanthus with respect to atherosclerosis.

Wine was prepared from three varieties of Phyllanthus viz., P. emblica (wild and cultivated) and P. acidus. Among the wines prepared, cultivated Emblica wine had the highest total phenolic (11.02 µg gallic acid equivalent/ml) and flavonoid (59.46 µg quercetin equivalent/ml) content. Further gallic acid, syringic acid, protocatechuic acid and caffeic acid were present in higher amounts in wine from the cultivated variety compared to other wines. HPLC analysis showed that in juice of the cultivated variety, gallic acid and coumaric acid were found in higher amounts than that in the corresponding wine. Antioxidant assays, LDL oxidation prevention, foam cell prevention and nitrite scavenging activities (cell lines) were found to be highest in cultivated Emblica juice and wine with an activity of 15 µg/ml and 14 µg/ml (nitrite assay) and 108.649 µg ascorbic acid equivalent/mg and 321.622 µg ascorbic acid equivalent /mg (total antioxidant capacity) respectively. CD36 expression was reduced and ABCA1 expression was increased to the highest extent by the cultivated Emblica wine and juice. Further, antioxidant activity was seen to increase during the course of fermentation. Sensory analysis showed that cultivated Emblica wine was sweeter compared to the other wines.

Inhibition of LDL oxidation and oxidized LDL-induced foam cell formation in RAW 264.7 cells show anti-atherogenic properties of a foliar methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis.

BACKGROUND: Oxidation of low density lipoproteins and their further uptake by macrophages is known to result in the formation of foam cells, which are critical in the initiation of atherosclerosis through activation of inflammatory signalling cascades. Thus, powerful dietary antioxidants are receiving attention for the reversal of such pathological states. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracts of Scoparia dulcis have been used as tea and health drinks with various health promoting effects. In the present study, we examined the reactive oxygen scavenging potential as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic efficacies, using leaf extracts obtained after successive extraction with various solvents. RESULTS: A methanol extract showed potent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 570 µg/ml, caused hydrogen peroxide scavenging (28.9 µg/ml) and anti-inflammatory effects by improving human erythrocyte membrane stabilisation (about 86%). The methanol extract also efficiently inhibited lipid peroxidation and oxidation of low density lipoproteins, thus preventing foam cell formation in cultured RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, phytochemical screening of the extracts showed high accumulation of flavonoids. CONCLUSIONS: The foliar methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis has a strong anti-atherogenic potential and this property could be attributed maybe due to presence of flavonoids since HPLC analysis showed high concentrations of myricetin and rutin in the methanol extract.