Burdock (Arctium lappa L) roots as a source of inulin-type fructans and other bioactive compounds: Current knowledge and future perspectives for food and non-food applications.

The roots and tubers of the Asteraceae family are known as a source of various oligosaccharides, and chicory roots and Jerusalem artichoke have stood out for its commercial viability. However burdock root (Arctium lappa L.), which is adapted to temperate climate, moist, and sandy soil, is still unknown as health food in the western world. This review showed the potential of burdock roots as a source of prebiotic fibers, chlorogenic acids, cinnarine, lignans, and quercetin. The extraction methods of burdock functional compounds are made with water, temperature and time variations only. Biological assays showed antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic properties, and gastric mucosal defense mechanisms, among others. Therefore, the use of burdock roots as functional food should be encouraged in countries that have imported products derived from other roots of the same family for health benefits.

Brazilian fruits of Arecaceae family: An overview of some representatives with promising food, therapeutic and industrial applications.

The Arecaceae family is widely distributed and comprises about 2600 species, in which 48 of them are native to Brazil and occurs in transition biomes between the Amazon, Cerrado and Caatinga. In addition to being used as a source of food and subsistence, they are also rich in lipophilic bioactive compounds, mainly carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols and vitamin A. Moreover, they have considerable content of phenolic compounds, fibers and minerals. Therefore, the objective of this review is to present the physical-chemical and nutritional aspects, the main bioactive compounds, the biological properties and the innovative potential of four Brazilian palm-tree fruits of the Arecaceae family. Due to the presence of bioactive compounds, these fruits have the potential to promote health and can be used to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and others. Furthermore, these raw materials and their by-products can be used in the development of new food, chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. To ensure better use of these crops, promote their commercial value, benefit family farming and contribute to the country's sustainable development, it is necessary to implement new cultivation, post-harvest and processing techniques. Investing in research to publicize their potential is equally important, mainly of the ones still little explored, such as the buritirana.

Bioaccessibility and gut metabolism of phenolic compounds of breads added with green coffee infusion and enzymatically bioprocessed.

This study aimed at investigating two strategies to enhance the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds from whole-wheat breads: enzymatic bioprocessing and addition of green coffee infusion. Although both strategies had a significant effect on increasing the contents of total soluble phenolic compounds in breads, the addition of green coffee infusion was much more relevant (19.1-fold) than enzymatic bioprocessing (1.8-fold). The phenolic compounds present as soluble forms were completely released from all breads' matrix already at the oral phase of digestion. While gastric digestion did not promote the release of insoluble phenolic compounds, intestinal conditions led to a slight release. All bread samples showed maximum phenolic compounds bioaccessibility after 4 h of gut fermentation. Upon the end of in vitro digestion and gut fermentation, the difference between the strategies was that enzymatic bioprocessing accelerated ferulic acid release, while the addition of green coffee infusion increased 10.4-fold the overall phenolic compounds bioaccessibility.

Bioguided extraction of phenolic compounds and UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS characterization of extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves collected in Brazil.

Moringa oleifera leaves are used in Brazilian folk medicine for their hypoglycemic and nutritional properties. In this context, the chemical and biological characteristics were determined. Conventional successive solid-liquid extraction with simultaneous bioguided purification using solvents with different polarities was performed with M. oleifera leaves, yielding six fractions and extracts. The fractions showed better results for antioxidant activity than the extracts. All of them were evaluated by scavenging of synthetic free radicals and reactive oxygen species, and Fr-Ace and Fr-EtOAc showed >100 mg GAE g-1 of phenolic content, while for FRAP and ORAC assays the values were higher than 1600 µmol Fe2+ g-1 and 3500 mmol TEAC g-1 respectively. The UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) allowed identifying 24 compounds, with flavonoid derivatives being the most abundant group. Furthermore, the alkaloid trigonelline and sesquiterpenoid abscisic acid were identified for the first time in M. oleifera leaves. Finally, gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin and quercetin were found in concentrations of 16.5, 2129, 477.4 and 127.5 µg g-1 respectively in HE, all of which were higher in fractions and extracts. These results suggest that bioguided extraction is an important technique, due to its ability to concentrate active compounds in a logical and rational way. In addition, M. oleifera leaves grown in Brazil are an important source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity that can be used in food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products.

In vitro health promoting properties of antioxidant dietary fiber extracted from spent coffee (Coffee arabica L.) grounds.

Antioxidant dietary fiber extracted from spent coffee grounds (FSCG) was evaluated as a potential functional food ingredient when incorporated in a food model (biscuits), and digested in vitro under simulated human gastrointestinal conditions. FSCG added to biscuits increased its total dietary fiber, antioxidant capacity after in vitro digestion, bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds (gallic acid and catechin) and amino acids. Furthermore, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), involved in chronic diseases, decreased up to 6-folds in the biscuits containing FSCG when compared with the traditional biscuit. The digestible fraction of biscuits containing the highest amount of FSCG (5 g) displayed the higher inhibiting α-glucosidase activity, correlating with the bioaccessibility of ascorbic acid and catechin. Our study seems to indicate that anti-diabetic compounds may be released in the small intestine during FSCG digestion, where biscuits containing FSCG may be able to beneficially regulate sugar metabolism thereby helping in producing foods friendly for diabetes.

Bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of free phenolic compounds and oligosaccharides from corn (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) chips during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and simulated colonic fermentation.

Corn (Zea mays L.) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are alternative suitable ingredients for snacks, because of their content of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds (PC) and oligosaccharides (OS). However, there is no information about the transformation of these compounds associated with food matrix during gastrointestinal digestion. Therefore, the objective of this work was to simulate the whole digestion process (mouth to colon) to estimate bioaccessibility and small intestine permeability of free PC and OS, and the antioxidant capacity of free PC. Digested nixtamalized corn-cooked common bean chips exhibited significant different quantities of free PC and OS, and higher antioxidant activity compared to methanolic extract. The free PC showed high values of apparent permeability coefficients (0.023-0.729×10-3), related with their absorption in the small intestine. Both free PC and OS were retained in the non-digestible fraction of chips (10.24-64.4%) and were able to reach the colon. Our results suggest the digestion potential to increase chip bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Additional studies are required to evaluate their in vivo effects.

Caffeoyl and coumaroyl derivatives from Acacia cochliacantha exhibit ovicidal activity against Haemonchus contortus.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Acacia cochliacantha is a small tree whose foliage is traditionally used in Mexico for treatment of kidney pain, gastrointestinal illnesses and to kill intestinal parasites. In recent decades, the study of vegetal extracts has offered other possible alternatives for the control of Haemonchus contortus. Considering that this nematode affects dramatically the health and productivity of small ruminants, the aim of this study was to identify the anthelmintic compounds from A. cochliacantha hydro-alcoholic extract (HA-E) through an ovicidal test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In vitro egg hatch assay was conducted to determinate the anthelmintic effects of a HA-E (60g). Liquid-liquid ethyl acetate/water extraction gave two fractions (EtOAc-F, 1.92g; Aq-F; 58.1g). The less polar compounds from ethyl acetate fraction were extracted by addition of dichloromethane offering a precipitate phase (Mt-F, 1.25g) and a soluble mixture (DCMt-F 1.15g). All fractions were evaluated for ovicidal activity obtaining the egg hatching inhibition (EHI, 0.07-25mg/mL). Ivermectin (0.5mg/mL) was used as a reference drug (positive control), and distilled water, 2.5% DMSO and 2% methanol were used as negative controls. The isolated compounds from the most active fractions were subjected to spectroscopic (1H NMR) Spectrometric (MS) and UV HPLC analysis in order to identify the bioactive compounds. RESULTS: The less polar treatments (AcOEt-F, DCMt-F, DCMt-P) showed the highest ovicidal activities (98-100% EHI; at 0.62-1.56mg/mL) and the major compounds found in these fractions were identified as caffeoyl and coumaroyl derivatives, including caffeic acid (1), p-coumaric acid (2), ferulic acid (3), methyl caffeate (4), methyl-p-coumarate (5), methyl ferulate (6) and quercetin. In case of the less active fractions (Aq-F, Mt-F) were constituted principally by glycosylated flavonoids. CONCLUSION: These results show that caffeoyl and coumaroyl derivatives from Acacia cochliacantha leaves had promising anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus. This leguminous may offer an alternative source for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants.

Spent coffee grounds, an innovative source of colonic fermentable compounds, inhibit inflammatory mediators in vitro.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG), rich in dietary fiber can be fermented by colon microbiota producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with the ability to prevent inflammation. We investigated SCG anti-inflammatory effects by evaluating its composition, phenolic compounds, and fermentability by the human gut flora, SCFAs production, nitric oxide and cytokine expression of the human gut fermented-unabsorbed-SCG (hgf-NDSCG) fraction in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. SCG had higher total fiber content compared with coffee beans. Roasting level/intensity reduced total phenolic contents of SCG that influenced its colonic fermentation. Medium roasted hgf-NDSCG produced elevated SCFAs (61:22:17, acetate, propionate and butyrate) after prolonged (24h) fermentation, suppressed NO production (55%) in macrophages primarily by modulating IL-10, CCL-17, CXCL9, IL-1ß, and IL-5 cytokines. SCG exerts anti-inflammatory activity, mediated by SCFAs production from its dietary fiber, by reducing the release of inflammatory mediators, providing the basis for SCG use in the control/regulation of inflammatory disorders. The results support the use of SGC in the food industry as dietary fiber source with health benefits.

Gastroprotective effects and antimicrobial activity of Lithraea molleoides and isolated compounds against Helicobacter pylori.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in South America to treat various ailments, including diseases of the digestive system. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the in vivo antiulcer and antimicrobial activities against Helicobacter pylori of L. molleoides and its isolated compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanolic extract 250 and 500 mg/kg, (LmE 250 and LmE 500, respectively) and infusions, 10 g and 20 g en 100mL (LmI 10 and LmI 20, respectively) of L. molleoides was evaluated for antiulcer activity against 0.6N HCl, 0.2N NaOH, 200mg/kg acetilsalicilic acid and absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The degree of erosion in the glandular part of the stomach was assessed from a scoring system. Acute toxicity in mice was also evaluated. The antiulcer effect of the isolated compounds (catechol, mannitol, rutin, gallic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid, 100mg/kg) was evaluated against absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of L. molleoides and isolated compounds was performed using broth dilution methods. RESULTS: The LmE 250, LmE 500, LmI 10 and LmI 20 produced significant inhibition on the ulcer index in 0.6N HCl, 0.2N NaOH, 200mg/kg acetilsalicilic acid and absolute ethanol- induced gastric ulcers in rats. The isolated compounds, catechol, mannitol, rutin, ferulic acid and caffeic acid were active in absolute ethanol- induced gastric ulcers in rats. L. molleoides and different compounds showed antimicrobial activity in all strains tested. The lowest MIC value (0. 5 µg/mL) was obtained with catechol in six of eleven strains assayed. No signs of toxicity were observed with doses up to 2g/kg in an acute toxicity assay. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that L. molleoides displays potential antiulcerogenic and antimicrobial activities and the identification of active principles could support the use of this plant for the treatment of digestive affections.

Biochemical and hematological effects of acute and sub-acute administration to ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia Reissek in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scutia buxifolia is a native tree of Southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, which is popularly known as "coronilha" and it is used as a cardiotonic, antihypertensive and diuretic substance. The aim of this study was to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia in male and female mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The toxicity studies were based on the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-guidelines 423 and 407). In an acute study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of Scutia buxifolia was administered orally to male and female mice. Mortality, behavioral changes, and biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated. In the sub-acute study, Scutia buxifolia was administered orally to male and female mice at doses of 100, 200, and 400mg/kg/day for 28 days. Behavioral changes and biochemical, hematological, and histological analysis were evaluated. RESULTS: The acute administration of Scutia buxifolia did not cause changes in behavior or mortality. Male and female mice presented decreased levels of platelets. Female mice presented decreased levels of leukocytes. On the other hand, in a sub-acute toxicity study, we observed no behavioral changes in male or female mice. Our results demonstrated a reduction in glucose levels in male mice treated to 200 and 400mg/kg of Scutia buxifolia. Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity was increased by Scutia buxifolia at 400mg/kg in male mice. In relation to the hematological parameters, male mice presented a reduction in hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) when treated to 400mg/kg of plant fraction. Female mice showed no change in these parameters. Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed slight abnormalities that were consistent with the biochemical variations observed. CONCLUSION: Scutia buxifolia, after acute administration, may be classified as safe (category 5), according to the OECD guide. However, the alterations observed, after sub-acute administration with high doses of ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia, suggest that repeated administration of this fraction plant can cause adverse hepatic, renal, and hematological effects.