A Bio-Guided Screening for Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Hypolipidemic Potential Supported by Non-Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of Crepis spp.

This study was designed to evaluate the chemical fingerprints and the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic activity of selected Crepis species collected in Greece, namely, C. commutata, C. dioscoridis, C. foetida, C. heldreichiana, C. incana, C. rubra, and Phitosia crocifolia (formerly known as Crepis crocifolia). For the phytochemical analyses, sample measurements were carried out by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Τhe extracts were evaluated both in vitro (radical scavenging activity: DPPH assay and total phenolic content: Folin-Ciocalteu) and in vivo (paw edema reduction and hypolipidemic activity: experimental mouse protocols). Among the tested extracts, C. incana presented the highest gallic acid equivalents (GAE) (0.0834 mg/mL) and the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.07 mg/mL) in vitro, as well as the highest anti-inflammatory activity with 32% edema reduction in vivo. Moreover, in the hypolipidemic protocol, the same extract increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by 48.7%, and decreased cholesterol (41.3%) as well as triglycerides (37.2%). According to fractionation of the extract and the phytochemical results, this biological effect may be associated with the rich phenolic composition; caffeoyl tartaric acid derivatives (cichoric and caftaric acid) are regarded as the most prominent bioactive specialized metabolites. The present study contributes to the knowledge regarding the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Crepis spp.

Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Studies of Molecular Disorders in Skin Cancer.

AIM: To investigate the molecular structural disorders of cancerous skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma biopsies were used for the investigation. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized. Spectral differences between healthy, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma tissues were recorded. RESULTS: The FT-IR bands of vasCH2, vsCH2 and Raman vsCH3 of cell membrane lipids were increased in intensity in melanoma due to an increased lipophilic environment. The FT-IR band at 1,744 cm-1 assigned to malondialdehyde can be used as a band diagnostic of cancer progression. The amide I bands at 1,654 cm-1 and 1,650 cm-1 for Raman and FT-IR, respectively were broader in spectra from melanoma, reflecting changes of protein secondary structure from α-helix to ß-sheet and random coil. The intensity of the FT-IR band at 1,046 cm-1 was increased in melanoma, suggesting glycosylation of the skin upon cancer development. Another band that might be considered as diagnostic was found at about 815 cm-1 in melanoma and was attributed to Z-DNA configuration. As far as we know, this is the first time that scanning electron microscopy revealed that metal components of titanium alloys from tooth implants were transferred to melanoma tissue taken from the back of one patient. CONCLUSION: Vibrational spectroscopy highlighted increased glycosylation in melanoma.