Ultrastructure and development of the floral nectary from Borago officinalis L. and phytochemical changes in its secretion.

Although Boraginaceae have been classified as good sources of nectar for many insects, little is still known about their nectar and nectaries. Thus, in the present contribution, we investigated the nectar production dynamics and chemistry in Borago officinalis L. (borage or starflower), together with its potential interaction capacity with pollinators. A peak of nectar secretion (∼5.1 µL per flower) was recorded at anthesis, to decrease linearly during the following 9 days. In addition, TEM and SEM analyses were performed to understand ultrastructure and morphological changes occurring in borage nectary before and after anthesis, but also after its secretory phase. Evidence suggested that nectar was transported by the apoplastic route (mainly from parenchyma to epidermis) and then released essentially by exocytotic processes, that is a granulocrine secretion. This theory was corroborated by monitoring the signal of complex polysaccharides and calcium, respectively, via Thiéry staining and ESI/EELS technique. After the secretory phase, nectary underwent degeneration, probably through autophagic events and/or senescence induction. Furthermore, nectar (Nec) and other flower structures (i.e., sepals, gynoecia with nectaries, and petals) from borage were characterized by spectrophotometry and HPLC-DAD, in terms of plant secondary metabolites, both at early (E-) and late (L-) phase from anthesis. The content of phytochemicals was quantified and discussed for all samples, highlighting potential biological roles of these compounds in the borage flower (e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidant, staining effects). Surprisingly, a high significant accumulation of flavonoids was registered in L-Nec, with respect to E-Nec, indicating that this phenomenon might be functional and able to hide molecular (e.g., defence against pathogens) and/or ecological (e.g., last call for pollinators) purposes. Indeed, it is known that these plant metabolites influence nectar palatability, encouraging the approach of specialist pollinators, deterring nectar robbers, and altering the behaviour of insects.

Borago Officinalis L.: A Review Oon Extraction, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Activities.

Borago officinalis L., an annual herb belonging to the Boraginaceae family, is used in the traditional medical practices of various countries and for multiple treatments, including respiratory disorders, colds, influenza, diarrhea, cramps, inflammation, palpitation, hypertension menopause, and post-menopausal symptoms. Its pharmacological properties and biological activities - among them antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antigenotoxic, and anti-obesity activity - were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo and are related to its rich content of bioactive compounds (mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, and terpenes) extracted from various parts of B. officinalis including leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots. This review summarizes all updated information on applied extraction processes, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of B. officinalis.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in borage (Borago officinalis): Comprehensive profiling and development of a validated LC-MS/MS method for quantification.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from borage (Borago officinalis) consumed as herb and tea, may pose a food safety risk. Therefore, the European Union (EU) set maximum levels of PA in borage, among other foodstuffs, which are applicable since July 1st, 2022. Here, a comprehensive LC-MS/MS based profiling of PA and their N-oxides (PANO) in B. officinalis leaves is presented. Based on these results a targeted, quantitative LC-MS/MS method for the determination of individual PA/PANO present in borage was developed. Chromatographic separation was achieved for all PA/PANO detected in B. officinalis. An easy and fast extraction procedure was developed using a design of experiments approach (DOE). The most efficient extraction was achieved using 0.2% formic acid in 10% methanol at a temperature of 47.5 °C for 60 min. The final method was validated and showed good overall accuracy (recoveries 85-121%) and precision (RDS ≤11%). The method was applied to B. officinalis leave material, demonstrating its suitability for the intended purpose. In these borage samples, the acetylated forms, which are not regulated by EU, were among the quantitatively most relevant PA.

The effect of Borago officinalis on the signaling pathway of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex, TLR4 and some inflammatory cytokines in type II diabetic patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition in which the lungs become severely inflamed, causing the alveoli to constrict or fill with fluid, which prevents the lungs from functioning properly. This disease becomes more dangerous when it occurs in patients with diabetes. Because of the clinical condition of these patients, it is not possible to treat them with usual medicines. One of the best options for treating these people is to use herbs. Borage (Borago officinalis) is a medicinal herb that, in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, is also able to control blood sugar. Therefore, in the current study, the effect of borage oil was considered on the signaling pathway of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex, TLR4, and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1? and IL-18) in type II diabetic patients with ARDS. For this purpose, 25 diabetic type II patients with ARDS were divided into three groups by ARDS Berlin Definition. Then, after providing the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, they were treated with 30 mg/day borage oil for seven days. The expression of NLRP3 and TLR4 genes (by Real-time PCR technique) and serum levels of IL-1? and IL-18 (by ELISA test) were evaluated before and after treatment with borage oil through blood samples taken from patients. The results showed that serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1? and IL-18), NLRP3 gene, and TLR4 gene were significantly decreased in diabetic type II patients with mild ARDS by treating with borage oil. IL-1? serum level and TLR4 were significantly decreased in diabetic type II patients with moderate ARDS. But there was not any significant decrease or increase in IL-1?, IL-18, NLRP3 gene, and TLR4 gene in diabetic type II patients with severe ARDS after 7 days of treatment with borage oil. According to the obtained results, borage oil can act as a double-edged blade. Thus, in the early and middle stages of ARDS, borage oil can be effective in reducing the inflammasome pathway of inflammation and also reduce blood sugar levels in these diabetic patients. But in the severe stage of ARDS, it not only does not help to treat the ARDS; it also increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure in diabetic patients.

The effect of borage, ginger and fennel extracts on acrylamide formation in French fries in deep and electric air frying.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three Lebanese wild plant extracts on acrylamide (AA) content in French fries, and to investigate the impact of air frying (AF) and deep frying (DF) techniques against AA formation. HPLC showed higher level of AA in DF (1384.79 ng/g) than in AF (163.1 ng/g). Indeed, the plant extracts of ginger, borage and fennel succeeded to decrease AA (59.67, 67.99, and 73.36% in (AF) and 21.91, 66.29 and 29.15% in (DF) respectively)in both fryers. Accordingly, borage fennel and ginger with their high scavenging activity (86.09%, 89.11% 93.67% respectively) and total phenolic contents (298.61, 117.79 and 97.36 of GAE respectively) can act as healthy beneficial pre-treatment, overall reducing AA in potato fries particularly in AF. This study was the first to reveal the importance of using plant extract in reducing AA in potato fries, a staple Lebanese food.

Extraction of Anthocyanins from Borage (Echium amoenum) Flowers Using Choline Chloride and a Glycerol-Based, Deep Eutectic Solvent: Optimization, Antioxidant Activity, and In Vitro Bioavailability.

Borage flower (Echium amoenum), an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region, is an excellent source of anthocyanins and is widely used in various forms due to its biological activities. In the present study, a choline chloride and glycerol (CHGLY)-based natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) was applied in order to extract the anthocyanins from borage flowers. The traditional solvents, including water, methanol, and ethanol, were used to evaluate the efficiency of CHGLY. The results showed that CHGLY was highly efficient compared to the traditional solvents, providing the highest amounts of the total anthocyanin content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), individual anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays). The most dominant anthocyanin found in studied borage was cyanidin-3-glucoside, followed by cyanin chloride, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and pelargonidin-3-glucoside. The bioavailability % was 71.86 ± 0.47%, 77.29 ± 0.57%, 80.22 ± 0.65%, and 90.95 ± 1.01% for cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, by pelargonidin-3-glucoside and cyanin chloride, respectively. However, cyanidin-3-glucoside was the anthocyanin compound showing the highest stability (99.11 ± 1.66%) in the gastrointestinal environment. These results suggested that choline chloride and glycerol-based NADES is not only an efficient, eco-friendly solvent for the extraction of anthocyanins but can also be used to increase the bioavailability of anthocyanins.

Active biopolymer films based on furcellaran, whey protein isolate and Borago officinalis extract: characterization and application in smoked pork ham production.

BACKGROUND: The meat industry is determined to find biodegradable packaging with properties similar to plastic. Furcellaran (FUR) and whey protein isolate (WPI) were used as a film matrix in which Borago officinalis extract (BOE) was incorporated as an antioxidant compound. The film's mechanical properties, water behavior, surface color, and antioxidant power were analyzed.Smoked hams were manufactured using two different types of film application: cured meat covered with film, smoked and cooked or hamsafter smoking, cooking and cooling. Smoked, vacuum packed ham was used as a control sample. The products were stored at 4 °C for 21 days and analyzed every 7 days. RESULTS: The elongation at break (EAB) and tensile strength (TS) of FUR/WPI films without the extract were 6.30% and 20.59 MPa, respectively, and after incorporating BOE, the EAB and TS were 24.30% and 15.33 MPa, respectively. The films with BOE were darker and had greater antioxidant capacity. The water content and activity in the products with films decreased along with storage time while the control remained stable. The results of microbiological, oxidation product accumulation, and sensory analysis were comparable in all the products. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking time can be reduced due to the dark color of the hams covered with BOE film. The barrier properties of those films should be increased. Other parameters were comparable to plastic packaging. The films therefore have the potential to be used instead of plastic packaging in the meat industry. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Incorporation of docetaxel and thymoquinone in borage nanoemulsion potentiates their antineoplastic activity in breast cancer cells.

Combining more than one anticancer agent in a nanocarrier is beneficial in producing a formula with a low dose and limited adverse side effects. The current study aimed to formulate docetaxel (DTX) and thymoquinone (TQ) in borage oil-based nanoemulsion (B-NE) and evaluate its potential in impeding the growth of breast cancer cells. The formulated B-NE and the combination (DTX + TQ) B-NE were prepared by the ultra-sonication method and physically characterized by the dynamic light scattering techniques. The cytotoxicity analyses of (DTX + TQ) B-NE in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were evaluated in vitro by using the SRB assay. Cell death mechanisms were investigated in terms of apoptosis and autophagy pathways by flow cytometry. The optimum mean droplet sizes formulated for blank B-NE and the (DTX + TQ) B-NE were 56.04 ± 4.00 nm and 235.00 ± 10.00 nm, respectively. The determined values of the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of mixing one-half amounts of DTX and TQ in B-NE were 1.15 ± 0.097 µM and 0.47 ± 0.091 µM in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively, which were similar to the IC50 values of the full amount of free DTX in both tested cell lines. The treatment with (DTX + TQ) B-NE resulted in a synergistic effect on both tested cells. (DTX + TQ) B-NE induced apoptosis that was integrated with the stimulation of autophagy. The produced formulation enhances the DTX efficacy against human breast cancer cells by reducing its effective dose, and thus it could have the potential to minimize the associated toxicity.

Borage, camellia, centaurea and pansies: Nutritional, fatty acids, free sugars, vitamin E, carotenoids and organic acids characterization.

The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and bioactive potential of four edible flowers (borage, centaurea, camellia, and pansies). Significant differences were observed among the four. Water was the main constituent (>76%, fresh weight - fw). Linoleic and palmitic acids were the major fatty acids found in borage and red and yellow pansies, while in camellia it was the arachidic acid. In white pansies, behenic and arachidic acids were predominant. Concerning vitamin E, α-tocopherol was the major vitamer. Carotenoids values varied between 5.8 and 181.4 mg ß-carotene/100 g dry weight (dw) in centaurea and borage, respectively, being particularly rich in lutein. Malic acid was the major organic acid, except in centaurea, where succinic acid was predominant. Fructose, glucose and sucrose were detected in all flowers. These results can contribute to the knowledge of these edible flowers and consequently increase their popularity among consumers and in the food industry.

Freezing of edible flowers: Effect on microbial and antioxidant quality during storage.

Edible flowers are a new gourmet product; however, they are not always available all years. Thus, it is essential to find out technologies to guarantee this product for a longer time. Flowers of four species (borage [Borago officinalis], heartsease [Viola tricolor], kalanchoe [Kalanchoe blossfeldiana], and dandelion [Taraxacum officinale]) were subjected to freezing (in their natural form and in ice cubes) and analyzed in terms of visual appearance, the content of flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, phenolics, antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power), and microbial quality after storage for 1 and 3 months. Flowers in ice cubes showed similar appearance to fresh ones during the 3 months of storage, whereas frozen flowers were only equivalent up to 1 month with the exception of kalanchoe. Even though flowers in ice cubes showed good appearance after 3 months of storage, they had the lowest values of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. On the contrary, when frozen, the content of bioactive compounds maintained or even increased up to 1 month of storage compared to fresh flowers, except for borage. Furthermore, in both freezing treatments, the microorganisms' counts decreased or maintained when compared to fresh samples, except in dandelion. In general, both treatments may allow keeping the flowers after their flowering times. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The market of edible flowers is increasing, although they are a very perishable product with short shelf-life. Edible flowers are stored in the cold (frozen or in ice cubes); however, the effect on the bioactive compounds and microbial quality that this treatment may have on borage (Borago officinalis), heartsease (Viola tricolor), kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flowers is unknown. So, the present study was conducted to increase the knowledge about the changes that freezing treatments may have in different edible flowers. The results of the present study underline that each flower has different behavior at frozen and ice cubes storage. However, freezing flowers maintain/increase the contents of bioactive compounds, while ice cubes not. Both treatments are effective in protecting flowers from microorganism growth. So, suggesting that both freezing treatments can be used as a preservative method and may allow keeping the flowers after their flowering times.

A Review on the Phytochemistry, Ethnobotanical Uses and Pharmacology of Borago Species.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Borago L., (family Boraginaceae) is a small genus of annual or perennial herbs with branched flowers, which is commonly found in the Mediterranean region. Some species known as Gavzabȃn in Asian and some African countries are traditionally used instead of Borago. Aims of the review: The purpose of this study was to provide comprehensive scientific information on phytochemistry, traditional uses and pharmacological activities of Borago species to provide an insight into further research on the therapeutic potential of these plants. In many studies, it has been shown that different parts of Borago species, including leaves, flowers, seeds, roots and aerial parts possess numerous ethnobotanical values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical data were collected from online journals, magazines and books (all of which were published in English, Arabic, and Persian) from 1968 to 2018. Electronic databases such as Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Researchgate, and other online collections were used. RESULTS: The phytochemical studies on five species showed a wide range of phytochemicals belonging to different classes of secondary metabolites. From a pharmacological point of view, different extracts and fractions, essential oils, and pure compounds isolated from various Borago species have shown diverse activities in in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies confirming various traditional uses of Borago genus. CONCLUSION: Considering the reported activities of the Borago genus both in traditional and modern medicine, further studies on biological aspects and identification of the mechanism of action for drug discovery are highly required.

Phytochemical characterization of Borago officinalis L. and Centaurea cyanus L. during flower development.

The present work details the nutritional and chemical compositions of borage and centaurea, at three flowering stages. Water was the main constituent, followed by total dietary fiber. Both flowers showed statistically different (p < 0.05) nutritional and chemical profiles, although in both, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (mainly linoleic and α-linolenic acids), free sugars (3.9-28.9% dw as fructose, glucose, and sucrose), tocopherols (with the major contribution of α-tocopherol from 1.24 to 2.75 mg/100 g dw), carotenoids (0.2-181.4 mg/100 g dw, mainly as lutein), and organic acids (6.1-14.4 g/100 g dw, mainly malic, succinic, and citric acids) were quantified. Concerning flowering, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for some components, particularly carotenoids; however, no specific trend was observed in either of the two flower species. Thus, the present study shows that each flower species, as well as their flowering stages, may have different phytochemical and nutritional compositions.

Hypoglycemic Activity of Tilia americana, Borago officinalis, Chenopodium nuttalliae, and Piper sanctum on Wistar Rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered the epidemic of the 21st century. Traditional medicine uses plants to treat DM; many of these have hypoglycemic effects in both animal models and diabetic patients. Our objective was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of Tilia americana, Borago officinalis, Chenopodium nuttalliae, and Piper sanctum on diabetic rats. The methanolic extracts of the plants under study were obtained by Soxhlet extraction. Toxicity was evaluated on Artemia salina; the antioxidant potential was evaluated using the DPPH technique. Hypoglycemic capacity at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg was tested on Wistar rats with diabetes induced by alloxan (120 mg/kg). The toxicity on A. salina was null for the extracts of B. officinalis and P. sanctum, moderate for T. americana, and highly toxic for C. nuttalliae. The relevant extract of T. americana var. mexicana showed antioxidant activity. Three plants of the studied plants showed hypoglycemic activity: Tilia Americana (p = 0.0142), Borago officinalis (p = 0.0112), and Piper sanctum (p = 0.0078); P. sanctum was the one that showed the greatest reduction in glucose levels at a lower dose.

Role of Borage Seed Oil and Fish Oil with or without Turmeric and Alpha- Tocopherol in Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Fatty Liver in Rats.

The aim of the present research was to Study the prevention of dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation and fatty liver as risk factors for cardiovascular disease via intervention by borage oil (B) and fish oil (F) with or without turmeric (T) and alpha-tocopherols (TC). Fatty acids were assessed in both oils while curcuminoids were determined in turmeric. Rats were divided into; first group fed on balanced diet and designated as normal control (NC), second fed on dyslipidemic and steatohepatitis (DS) inducer diet which represented the DS control group and groups 3-6 fed on DS inducer diet with daily oral administration of B, B+T+TC, F and F+T+TC; respectively for 5 weeks. Liver fat and plasma lipid profile, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarker and liver and heart histopathology were assessed. Results showed gamma linolenic to be 21.01% in B. F contained eicosapentaenoic as 22.768% and docosahexaenoic acid as 13.574%.Total curcuminoids were 4.63 mg/g turmeric. The DS control group showed significant dyslipidemia, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha and liver fat with significant reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared to NC. The different treatments produced significant improvement in all the parameters and histopathology. F was superior to B in ameliorating liver histopathological changes while B was more efficient in elevating TAC. B was more promising in improving lipid profile and liver fat compared to B + T + TC, while the latter was superior in improving MDA and liver histopathology. Fish oil was more efficient than F+TC+T except for TAC and high density lipoprotein cholesterol which were more improved on addition of TC and T. Conclusion: Borage and fish oil with or without antioxidants protect from cardiovascular and fatty liver diseases with variable degrees.

Borage oil restores acidic skin pH by up-regulating the activity or expression of filaggrin and enzymes involved in epidermal lactate, free fatty acid, and acidic free amino acid metabolism in essential fatty acid-deficient Guinea pigs.

Borage oil (BO) reverses a disrupted epidermal lipid barrier and hyperproliferation in essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). However, little is known about its effect on skin pH, which is maintained by epidermal lactate, free fatty acids (FFAs), and free amino acids (FAAs) which is generated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), or filaggrin degradation with peptidylarginine deiminase-3 (PADI3). We hypothesized that BO restores skin pH by regulating epidermal lactate, FFA metabolism, or FAA metabolism in EFAD. To test this hypothesis, EFAD was induced in guinea pigs by a hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO) diet for 8 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of a BO diet (group HCO + BO). As controls, groups HCO and BO were fed HCO or BO diets for 10 weeks. In group HCO + BO, skin pH, which was less acidic in group HCO, was restored; and epidermal lactate and total FFAs, including palmitate, stearate, linoleate, arachidate, behenate, and lignocerate, were higher than in group HCO. LDH and sPLA2 (mainly the PLA2G2F isoform) activities and protein expressions were similar between groups HCO + BO and BO. Epidermal acidic FAAs, as well as filaggrin and PADI3 protein and mRNA expressions were higher in group HCO + BO than in group HCO. Oleate, total FAAs including other FAAs, and LDH and sPLA2 mRNA expressions were not altered between groups HCO and HCO + BO. Basic FAAs were not altered among groups. Dietary BO restored acidic skin pH and increased epidermal levels of lactate, most FFAs, and acidic FAAs by up-regulating LDH, sPLA2, filaggrin, and PADI3 activities as well as protein or mRNA expressions in EFAD.

Borago officinalis seed oil (BSO), a natural source of omega-6 fatty acids, attenuates fat accumulation by activating peroxisomal beta-oxidation both in C. elegans and in diet-induced obese rats.

Obesity is a medical condition with increasing prevalence, characterized by an accumulation of excess fat that could be improved using some bioactive compounds. However, many of these compounds with in vitro activity fail to respond in vivo, probably due to the sophistication of the physiological energy regulatory networks. In this context, C. elegans has emerged as a plausible model for the identification and characterization of the effect of such compounds on fat storage in a complete organism. However, the results obtained in such a simple model are not easily extrapolated to more complex organisms such as mammals, which hinders its application in the short term. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain new experimental data about the evolutionary conservation of the mechanisms of fat loss between worms and mammals. Previously, we found that some omega-6 fatty acids promote fat loss in C. elegans by up-regulation of peroxisomal fatty acid ß-oxidation in an omega-3 independent manner. In this work, we prove that the omega-6 fatty acids' effects on worms are also seen when they are supplemented with a natural omega-6 source (borage seed oil, BSO). Additionally, we explore the anti-obesity effects of two doses of BSO in a diet-induced obesity rat model, validating the up-regulation of peroxisomal fatty acid ß-oxidation. The supplementation with BSO significantly reduces body weight gain and energy efficiency and prevents white adipose tissue accumulation without affecting food intake. Moreover, BSO also increases serum HDL-cholesterol levels, improves insulin resistance and promotes the down-regulation of Cebpa, an adipogenesis-related gene. Therefore, we conclude that the effects of omega-6 fatty acids are highly conserved between worms and obesity-induced mammals, so these compounds could be considered to treat or prevent obesity-related disorders.

Phytochemical and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous leaf extract of Indian borage (oregano) on rats induced with inflammation.

BACKGROUND: The Indian borage (Plectranthus amboinicus) also called Oregano contains many effective antioxidants, which includes caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. It has been employed in traditional medicine for its several health benefits including the prevention and cure of many debilitating diseases. Anti-inflammatory properties of Plectranthus amboinicus grown within this environment have not been adequately explored. OBJECTIVE: The protective and therapeutic effects of Oregano against endotoxaemia and inflammation were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 Wistar rats were randomly selected for this study and divided into six groups, with each group having 5 rats. Inflammation was induced on appropriate animal groups using LPS injection at a concentration of 4 mg/kg. Aqueous leaf extract of Indian borage was administered orally in four doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg post-LPS exposure and 150 mg/kg pre-LPS exposure) to respective treatment rat groups. Haematological profile, toxicity profile of liver and kidney and levels of biomarkers of inflammation were assayed using standard methods. RESULTS: Rats injected with LPS showed severe anaemia and marked leucopoenia with significant decrease in monocytes compared to the control group (p< 0.05). There was increased expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (p< 0.05) in the peripheral circulation of rats exposed to LPS. Treatment with Indian borage significantly (p< 0.05) reduced the toxic effects in the LPS-treated animals and attenuated the increase in the expression of circulating proinflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor alpha (TN-Fα) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) caused by LPS. Indian borage pretreatment also significantly (p< 0.05) counteracted the associated haematological dyscrasias caused by exposure to LPS. The extract elicited a significant protective effect on the kidney and liver as evidenced by the decreased renal markers and hepatic enzyme activities when compared with the control. The extract demonstrated protective and suppressive role against the overexpression of inflammatory mediators by ameliorating the induced inflammation and endotoxaemic conditions in the affected rat groups thereby validating its folkloric use. CONCLUSION: Our study thus reveals that the extract might be an active, natural and non-toxic drug lead against endotoxaemia-induced inflammation and toxicity.

The effect of different post-harvest treatments on the quality of borage (Borago officinalis) petals.

BACKGROUND: Borage is an edible flower with a very limited shelf-life (approx. 1 day). After harvest, flowers dry and shrink rapidly and become darker. Extending the shelf life of borage will make it more appealing for commercialization and it will enable borage growers to expand their market. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the effect of three post-harvest technologies. METHODS: Freeze-drying, hot air convective drying and alginate edible coating were applied to borage petals, and the visual appearance, water activity (aw) and weight loss was evaluated. RESULTS: Hot air-dried samples had an unsatisfactory visual appearance. Freeze dried flowers were less shrunken and dried while showing the lowest aw (0.25 ±0.01). Alginate coated flowers had a good visual ap- pearance, like fresh flowers, which was maintained during refrigerated storage (for 5 days), four days longer than those which were uncoated. Nevertheless, the flowers became fragile and it was difficult to handle them without causing damage. CONCLUSIONS: Freeze drying may be applied to produce dried borage flowers for infusions, while alginate coat- ing is a promising treatment to increase shelf-life subject to further development.

Borago officinalis L. attenuates UVB-induced skin photodamage via regulation of AP-1 and Nrf2/ARE pathway in normal human dermal fibroblasts and promotion of collagen synthesis in hairless mice.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation is regarded as the main cause of skin photodamage. After exposure to UVB irradiation, collagen degradation is accelerated by upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and collagen synthesis is decreased via downregulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 signaling. Borago officinalis L. (BO) is an annual herb with medicinal and culinary applications. Although BO has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, its potential anti-photoaging effects have not been examined. In this study, we examined the protective effects of BO against skin photodamage in UVB-exposed normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) in vitro and hairless mice in vivo. BO downregulated the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and IL-6, and enhanced TGF-ß1 by modulating activator protein (AP-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling in UVB-irradiated NHDFs. We also found that dietary BO reduced wrinkle formation, epidermal thickness, and erythema in UVB-exposed skin. Moreover, skin hydration and collagen synthesis were improved by dietary BO treatment. Our results demonstrate that BO can be used in functional foods, cosmetic products, and medicines for prevention and treatment of UVB-induced skin photodamage.

Display stability of fresh and thawed lamb supplemented with vitamin E or sprayed with an antioxidant borage seed extract.

BACKGROUND: The commercialization of thawed lamb packaged in modified atmosphere and maintained on display could serve as an alternative capable of satisfying the requirements of both customers and distributors. However, previous studies have suggested that lipid oxidation may accelerate post-thawing because peroxidation occurs during frozen storage, thereby leading to rapid and severe secondary lipid oxidation. The addition of an antioxidant compound either in the lamb diet or in the packaged meat could resolve this problem. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effect of dietary vitamin E (1000 mg of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate per kg of basal diet) and the spraying of borage seed aqueous extract (10% p/v) on the quality of fresh and thawed lamb leg chops. RESULTS: Both borage extract and vitamin E improved colour (as measured via instrumental and visual assessment of colour) and lipid stability (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) of fresh and thawed lamb throughout display, although neither of them had any antimicrobial effect. Freezing/thawing accelerated bone marrow darkening and reduced redness but delayed microbial growth. CONCLUSION: Both of these antioxidant strategies would be very profitable for the preservation of lamb meat, allowing thawed meat packaged in a modified atmosphere to be commercialized. However, additional studies should be carried out to determine how bone darkening in thawed chops can be avoided. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.