Identification of Pheophytin a and Hydroxy Pheophytin a from Rang Chuet (Thunbergia laurifolia Linn.) as Potent NQO-1 Inducers in Liver Cells.

Thunbergia laurifolia Linn. (Rang Chuet, RC), a Thai medicinal plant, possesses various bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This study aimed to identify detoxifying compounds within RC crude extract. RC leaves were extracted using the Soxhlet method with chloroform. Total carotenoids, chlorophylls, extract yield, total phenolic contents (TPCs), and total flavonoid contents (TFCs) were measured. The extract's composition was analyzed. Cytotoxicity and effects on the detoxification enzyme NQO-1 were assessed in liver cell lines (AML12 and HepG2) using MTT and NQO-1 assays, respectively. Bioactive fractions were identified using fractionation techniques and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RC extract displayed significant levels of carotenoids (0.375 mg/g), chlorophylls (2.682 mg/g), and favorable yield (15.3%). TPC and TFC were 363.776 mg/g and 112.22 mg/g of extract, respectively. Analysis revealed phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid), flavonoid (apigenin), chlorophylls (chlorophylls a, b, pheophytin a and b), and lutein. Among the fractions, Fraction 3 (F3) exhibited the highest NQO-1 enzyme activity. F3 contained pheophytin a and hydroxy pheophytin a, confirmed by LC-MS (m/z 871.59+ [M + H]+ and 887.59+ [M + H]+). F3 significantly induced NQO-1 activity in both HepG2 (3.908-fold) and AML12 (1.99-fold) cells. This study identified F3 from RC extract as a promising fraction containing pheophytin a and hydroxy pheophytin a, responsible for inducing the detoxification enzyme NQO-1 in liver cells. These findings suggest RC's potential for promoting detoxification.

Golden Barrel Cactus: Unveiling Its Potential as a Functional Food and Nutraceutical Source.

A comprehensive analysis of phytochemicals, digestive stability, and bioaccessibility was conducted on a golden barrel cactus extract from 3- and 6-year-old plants. Both ages contained lutein and four chlorophyll derivatives (chlorophyll a, b, pheophytin a, and b), but younger cacti revealed a significantly higher abundance. Total phenolics reached 3545.35 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight in the 3-year-old extracts compared to 2557.96 mg/100 g in the older ones. Antioxidant activity, assessed by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, was consistently higher in the younger group. While digestion impacted all compounds, lutein exhibited relative stability at 69.03% and 58.33% retention for 3- and 6-year-old extracts, respectively. Chlorophylls displayed lower stability (37.64% and 33.34% remaining for younger and older cacti) despite showing higher bioaccessibility (73.385% and 64.65%). Phenolics also demonstrated promising bioaccessibility (76.39% and 69.88%) despite moderate digestive degradation (60.52% and 56.89% retained). Conclusively, all investigated attributes-phytochemical content, digestive stability, and bioaccessibility-favored the younger golden barrel cactus extracts. This highlights the crucial role of plant age in maximizing the potential health benefits of these extracts.

Maltodextrin from Sweet Cassava: A Promising Endurance Enhancer.

The effects of maltodextrin and crude extract from sweet cassava on exercise endurance were examined in the male Wistar rat. The rats were randomly assigned to either an exercise training group or a non-exercise training group. Both groups were further divided into subgroups that received either a control, crude extract (250 or 500 mg/kg), or maltodextrin (250 or 500 mg/kg) orally once daily for 16 days. The time to the point of exhaustion after weight-loaded forced swimming was measured on day 16. Body weight gain, relative organ weight, biochemical parameters, and liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen content were also determined. Maltodextrin at a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly increased the time to the point of exhaustion compared to all other groups. Maltodextrin and crude extract with both doses significantly increased liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen content compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in glucose, BUN, triglyceride, or insulin levels between the groups. Crude extract at a dose of 250 mg/kg significantly increased AST and ALT levels, and LDH levels significantly increased in the exercise training group. Creatinine levels were significantly higher in the exercise training group compared to the non-exercise training group. Exercise boosted antioxidant enzymes, glycogen, and reduced damaging free radicals in the rats. Maltodextrin and crude extract further amplified this effect by activating AMPK and PGC-1α, suggesting that they combat fatigue through an antioxidant pathway linked to AMPK. These findings suggest that maltodextrin and crude extract from sweet cassava may have the potential to enhance exercise endurance. They may increase glycogen storage in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle, potentially through improved glycogen reserves and glycogen sparing effects. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects.

A Culinary and Medicinal Gem: Exploring the Phytochemical and Functional Properties of Thai Basil.

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the potential health benefits of Thai basil extracts from two species, Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum and Ocimum basilicum cv. Jumbo 4320, by investigating their bioactivities, phytochemical composition, and in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antithrombotic activities. Thai basil extracts from two species (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum and cv. Jumbo 4320) were obtained using water, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. Phytochemical analysis revealed chlorophylls, carotenoids, and diverse phenolic compounds. Its water extract boasted the highest total phenolics (459.62 ± 3.07 mg GAE/100 g), outperforming ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts (171.20 ± 1.10 and 66.02 ± 0.99 mg GAE/100 g, respectively). The ethanol extract of Jumbo 4320 also reigned supreme in total flavonoids (557.12 ± 14.27 mg CE/100 g), surpassing its counterparts (209.07 ± 23.31 and 131.41 ± 0.37 mg CE/100 g). O. basilicum cv. Jumbo 4320 extracts exhibited superior antioxidant activity by various assays. Jumbo 4320's water extract further dominated in the DPPH assay (IC50 48.52 ± 1.15 mg/mL), demonstrating superior free radical scavenging compared to ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts (IC50 60.54 ± 0.52 and 82.09 ± 3.18 mg/mL), respectively. While thyrsiflorum's ethanol extract claimed the top spot in the FRAP assay (0.0186 ± 0.00 mmol Fe2+/g), Jumbo 4320's water extract showcased the highest cellular antioxidant activity (80.62 ± 0.00% relative fluorescence intensity) in the DCFH-DA assay. Interestingly, Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum extracts demonstrated stronger antithrombotic activity at prolonging the prothrombin time at 78.3 ± 17.56 s. While the antimicrobial activity against most tested pathogens was limited, both species' extracts inhibited Bacillus cereus. These findings suggest the potential of Thai basil extracts, particularly from Jumbo 4320, as functional food ingredients with antioxidant and antithrombotic properties.

Boosting Purnica granatum L. Seed Oil Yield: An Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interference System Fuels SC-CO2 Extraction Breakthrough.

This study used supercritical fluid extraction to successfully enhance the conditions for extracting oil from pomegranate seeds. To determine the optimal extraction conditions for maximizing pomegranate oil yield, the researchers employed a Box-Behnken design experimental strategy, involving three parameters with three levels each: extraction pressure, extraction temperature, and extraction time. To determine the optimal optimization conditions, the Response Surface Method (RSM) and the Artificial Neural Fuzzy Intelligent System (ANFIS) were also used. The results revealed a strong correlation with the experimental data, demonstrating that both strategies were helpful in optimizing the extraction process. The ideal extraction parameters, according to this study, were an extraction pressure of 40 MPa, an extraction temperature of 55 °C, and an extraction time of 120 min with a CO2 flow rate of 21.3 L/h.

Evaluation of Short-Term Toxicity and Cholesterol-Lowering Effects in Rats Exposed to Dietary Fiber Derived from Cassava Pulp.

The dietary fiber extracted from cassava pulp, composed of crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and cellulose content, demonstrates promise as a functional food ingredient. The study's objectives encompassed the assessment of short-term toxicity and the evaluation of its potential cholesterol-lowering effects. The results indicated that cassava pulp dietary fiber (CDF) is well-tolerated with non-toxic thresholds determined at 10.01 g/kg body weight/day for male rats and 11.21 g/kg body weight/day for female rats during the short-term toxicity assessment. Furthermore, CDF exhibited notable cholesterol-lowering effects, significantly reducing serum triglyceride and serum total cholesterol levels, along with decreased liver total lipids and liver cholesterol levels. In contrast, it led to significant increases in fecal total lipids and cholesterol when compared to the control group. Most notably, there were no significant differences in terms of serum triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, liver total lipids, and liver cholesterol between CDF and the conventional cholesterol-lowering medication, simvastatin. These findings underscore the potential of cassava pulp dietary fiber as a natural and safe alternative for managing hyperlipidemia and related conditions. It offers a valuable avenue for the development of functional foods aimed at improving cardiovascular health and further investigation for its potential application in the field of nutraceuticals.

Optimum aquaculture and drying conditions for Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Wimn.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of aquaculture and the optimum conditions for drying duckweed plants to maintain the highest nutritional value and bioactive substances. Protein quantification was used to screen duckweed plants subjected to the 14 treatments under aquaculture conditions. Proximate analysis of three aquaculture conditions showed the highest quantification of protein. Moreover, these samples were analyzed for total phenolics, flavonoids, and chlorophylls. The optimal drying conditions for duckweed plants with the highest protein content were determined using a factorial design with three temperature and time parameters. The results showed that the duckweed under aquaculture conditions in an outdoor cement pond with hydroponic electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.5 mS/cm contained the highest protein at 41.81 ± 3.40%. Moreover, proximate analysis of this sample showed fat, fiber, moisture, ash, and carbohydrate contents of 1.99 ± 0.08%, 4.46 ± 0.71%, 3.29 ± 0.17%, 22.06 ± 0.07% and 14.12 ± 1.63%, respectively. In addition, the optimum drying conditions for this sample were 50 °C and a drying time of 6 h. Under optimum drying conditions, this sample showed total phenolics, flavonoids, and chlorophylls contents of 55.28 ± 1.35 (µg GAE/g dry weight), 159.84 ± 6.65 (µg catechin equivalent [QE]/g dry weight) and 22.91 ± 0.15 (mg/g dry weight), respectively. In conclusion, the dried duckweed under aquaculture conditions in an outdoor cement pond with hydroponic EC 0.5 mS/cm contained the highest contents of proteins, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total chlorophyll, which could be used as functional ingredients in health food products.

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity study of Rang Chuet (Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl.) extracts and its antioxidant activities.

Rang Chuet (Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl.) is a Thai medicinal plant with pharmacological properties: it can be used as an antidote, for decreasing body temperature and it is addictive. This study investigated total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of Rang Chuet extracts, and its acute and sub-chronic toxicities of Rang Chuet extracts. To investigate the acute toxicity of Rang Chuet, male and female Wistar rats were orally gavaged with a single dose of 2000 and 15,000 mg/kg body weight of Rang Chuet leaf extracts prepared by three different extraction solvents, namely water, ethanol, and acetone. The Rang Chuet water extract showed the highest total phenolic contents at 2643 ± 195.05 mg GAE/100 g while the Rang Chuet acetone extract showed the lowest IC50 at 52.91 mg/ml by DPPH assay. The sub-chronic toxicity study was performed using Wistar rats of both sexes which were gavaged with ethanol and water Rang Chuet extracts for 90 days. Rats were gavaged with the equivalent dose of Rang Chuet in a typical consumer drink (to be taken 3 times a day, at dose 1460 mg/kg/day for water extract and 1025 mg/kg/day for ethanol extract), 3000 and 5000 mg/kg. The satellite group was given the same dose of both extracts for 90 days and observed thereafter for 14 days in order to study the reversibility of the adverse effects. The results revealed that none of the Rang Chuet extracts altered the general behavior or mortality or changes in the gross morphology and any histology of the rats' visceral organs. For sub-chronic toxicity, the result showed that the treatment of ethanol and water Rang Chuet extracts had no significant effect on average body weight, relative organ weights, histopathology of organs, clinical biochemistry, hematological parameters or liver enzymes. This analysis of by-products of a lipid peroxidation study suggested a trend of decreasing malondialdehyde levels in most of the Rang Chuet treated groups. In conclusion, the safety value of Rang Chuet water extract and Rang Chuet ethanol extract in rats is 50 mg/kg body weight which indicate safe dose of Rang Chuet dried powder is 10.27 g/60 kg body weight per day.

Structural and Rheological Properties of Yanang Gum (Tiliacora triandra).

Plant polysaccharides are used in the food industry to improve the texture and stability of food. The viscosity of polysaccharides, which includes both thickening and gelling, is an important characteristic. Yanang, Tilaicora triandra (Colebr.) Diels., composed of polysaccharide gum in its leaves. In this research, Yanang gum's structural and rheological properties were investigated. The gum's structure is xylan, with a backbone made up mostly of mixed (1,3)- and (1,4)-D-xylan. The average molecular weight of Yanang gum is 3819 kDa, with a gyration radius of 120.4 nm and an intrinsic viscosity of 14.6 dL/g. The power-law model was found to be the best fit for Yanang gum flow curves. The consistency coefficient, k, increases significantly with concentration in both the forward and the reverse measurements, whereas the flow behavior index, n, decreased as concentration increased. Yanang gum exhibited shear-thinning flow behavior. Increasing the concentration results in heightened G' and G″, and the cross-over point shifts toward lower frequencies. The results of this study show that Yanang gum may be beneficial as other natural gums for food products.

Modified Dietary Fiber from Cassava Pulp and Assessment of Mercury Bioaccessibility and Intestinal Uptake Using an In Vitro Digestion/Caco-2 Model System.

The ability of modified dietary fiber (MDF) generated from cassava pulp to modulate the bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption of heavy metals may be helpful to mitigate health risk associated with select foods including select fish high in methyl mercury. Using a coupled in vitro digestion/Caco-2 human intestinal cell model, the reduction of fish mercury bioaccessibility and intestinal uptake by MDF was investiaged. MDF was prepared from cassava pulp, a byproduct of tapioca production. The highest yield (79.68%) of MDF was obtained by enzymatic digestion with 0.1% α-amylase (w/v), 0.1% amyloglucosidase (v/v) and 1% neutrase (v/v). MDF and fish tissue were subjected to in vitro digestion and results suggest that MDF may reduce mercury bioaccessibility from fish to 34% to 85% compared to control in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, accumulation of mercury from digesta containing fish and MDF was only modestly impacted by the presence of MDF. In conclusion, MDF prepared from cassava pulp may be useful as an ingredient to reduce mercury bioavailability from food such as fish specifically by inhibiting mercury transfer to the bioaccessibile fraction during digestion.

Comparison of Nutritional Status in Different Type of Exercises.

Background: Nutritional evaluation is necessary in training program for the athletes and general people. Objective: To determine the effect of different types of activities on nutritional status and to compare the nutritional status in people with four groups of activities: 1) national rowing athletes training using mixed aerobic and anaerobic exercises, 2) national bicycle athletes training using aerobic exercise, 3) regular exercise people, and 4) sedentary activities. Material and Method: 18 cases per group for a total of 72 participants were trained in techniques for accurately recorded dietary patterns by the interviewers. Dietary records were analyzed by using INMUCAL-N (WD 4.4) program. Body composition was measured. Results: Mean age were 21.89±5.83, 20.71±3.62, 25.05±7.09, and 20.83±2.09 years respectively. The body mass index among groups was not significantly different (mean 21.87±3.56 kg/m(2)). Sex was not different among groups. All participants had no known chronic or cardiovascular diseases. The athlete groups (Groups 1 and 2) had more total energy intake than the others. Group 2 had the highest percentage of fat contribution per day 37.99±6.06% of total energy per day, (p<0.05). The micro-nutrients by recommended daily allowance (RDA) was not adequate in all groups, including vitamin E (VE), Magnesium (Mg), and Selenium (Se), especially group 4 had not enough ferrous (Fe), vitamin B1 (B1), Niacin (B3), and vitamin C (VC). Conclusion: Several micro-nutrients intakes in all groups did not reach the recommended daily allowance (RDA), especially in females of all group and both sex in the sedentary activities group. The implications of these results for widely propagated sport nutrition are to control the dietary fat intake and increase the intake of fruits and vegetables. We suggest that both education and management of optimum intensity aerobic exercise and controlled dietary fat intake are essential to prevent cardiovascular diseases for the entire population including the training athletes.

Entrapment in food-grade transglutaminase cross-linked gelatin-maltodextrin microspheres protects Lactobacillus spp. during exposure to simulated gastro-intestinal juices.

Dietary intake of probiotic bacteria has been shown to impart health effects, however, maintaining viable cells in foods and during passage of the adverse conditions in the upper gastro-intestinal tract is often a problem. The objective of this research was to develop and characterize novel food-grade phase-separated gelatin-maltodextrin (G-MD) microspheres, where the gelatin was cross-linked with transglutaminase (TGase), to determine if encapsulated probiotic lactic acid bacteria were protected during exposure to simulated upper gastro-intestinal tract conditions. The stability, size, structure and protective ability of G-MD microspheres as a function of different TGase concentrations and gelatin bloom strengths were tested. The G-MD microspheres made with gelatin A 300 bloom and a TGase concentration of 10U/g prevented pepsin-induced degradation of the microspheres in simulated gastric juice (pH2.0, 2h, 37°C), resulting in significantly (p<0.05) higher numbers of survivors due to the buffering effect of intact microspheres (average diameter 46µm). After sequential incubation in simulated gastric (1h) and intestinal juices (pH7.4, 4h, 37°C), survivor levels of each of the three encapsulated Lactobacillus sp. (3C2-10, 21C2-10 and 21C2-12) were reduced by 0.2-1log(CFU/g) as compared to 3-4log(CFU/g) for the free non-encapsulated cells. This study presents a new protein based microencapsulation method, which using all food-grade ingredients protects probiotic lactic acid bacteria during exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Bioactive compounds and encapsulation of Yanang (Tiliacora triandra) leaves.

BACKGROUND: Yanang (Tiliacora triandra) has been known as vegetable and herbal in northeast Thailand and Lao People's Democratic Republic. Extracts from Yanang leaves contain high amounts of polyphenol constituents possessing antioxidant activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This work investigated bioactive compounds of Yanang extracts prepared by infusion with water, ethanol and acetone. Furthermore, this paper reports the design of the experimental method for optimization of Yanang encapsulation using three independent variables: the ratio of core material (Yanang), to wall material (gum Arabic), gum Arabic concentration and inlet temperature of spray drying on bioactive compounds stability. The stability of bioactive compounds was evaluated using phenolic compounds, total antioxidant, carotenoids and chlorophyll. RESULTS: The study of the bioactivity of Yanang extracts found that extraction with water was the appropriate application. The study of Yanang encapsulation demonstrated that gum Arabic, as coating agents, protected bioactive compounds of Yanang. Optimized condition for the encapsulation was at the ratio of core to wall {1:4}, in gum Arabic concentration 10% (w/v), and inlet temperature at 160▯C. The results show that the bioactive compounds were mainly affected by the ratio of core to wall material. Besides, moisture content and particle size of encapsulation depend on inlet temperature of spray drying, and gum Arabic concentration, respectively. This optimization reveals that the encapsulation process did not lose the bioactive compounds. CONCLUSION: Yanang extract with water was the main phenolic compound and showed high antioxidant activities. This study demonstrates the potentials of using spray drying process and optimization for the encapsulation of herbal products.

Phytochemical profiling and phase II enzyme-inducing properties of Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. (RC) extracts.

Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. (Acanthaceae) or Rang Chuet (RC) is described in traditional medicine for protection against dietary and environmental toxicants. This work, therefore, investigated RC's phytochemical profile, antimutagenic activity, and xenobiotic detoxification potential in its extracts. RC extracts were prepared by infusion with water, ethanol, acetone and subsequently assayed for major phytochemical constituents. Total phenolic content was 24.33, 5.65, and 1.42microg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per mL for water, ethanol and acetone extract, respectively. HPLC analysis identified caffeic acid and apigenin as primary constituents of water extracts. Acetone and ethanol extracts contained primarily chlorophyll a and b, pheophorbide a, pheophytin a, and lutein. Treatment of Hepa 1C1C7 cells with standardized RC extracts resulted in a dose-dependent increase in QR specific activity for all extracts. Acetone extract (92microg GAE/mL) increased QR activity 2.8-fold, while ethanol (120microg GAE/mL) and water (1000microg GAE/mL) extracts increased QR activity by 1.35- and 1.56-fold, respectively. The RC extracts were subsequently assayed for mutagen and antimutagenic activity by bacterial reverse mutagenesis assay. All three RC extracts exhibited strong dose-dependent antimutagenic activity inhibiting 2-aminoanthracene induced mutagenesis up to 87% in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. These results support the traditional medicinal use of RC for detoxification and suggest the potential role of both phenolic acids and natural chlorophyll constituents in modulating these effects.