Metabolite Profiling of Manilkara zapota L. Leaves by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Coupled with ESI and APCI and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity, α-Glucosidase, and Elastase Inhibition Assays.

High-resolution mass spectrometry equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) sources was used to enhance the characterization of phytochemicals of ethanol extracts of Manilkara zapota L. leaves (ZLE). Sugar compounds, dicarboxylic acids, compounds of phenolic acids and flavonoids groups, and other phytochemicals were detected from the leaves. Antioxidant activity and inhibition potentiality of ZLE against α-glucosidase enzyme, and elastase enzyme activities were evaluated in in vitro analysis. ZLE significantly inhibited activities of α-glucosidase enzyme at a lower concentration (IC50 2.51 ± 0.15 µg/mL). Glucose uptake in C2C12 cells was significantly enhanced by 42.13 ± 0.15% following the treatment with ZLE at 30 µg/mL. It also exhibited potential antioxidant activities and elastase enzyme inhibition activity (IC50 27.51 ± 1.70 µg/mL). Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) detected more m/z peaks than electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and both ionization techniques illustrated the biological activities of the detected compounds more thoroughly compared to single-mode analysis. Our findings suggest that APCI along with ESI is a potential ionization technique for metabolite profiling, and ZLE has the potential in managing diabetes by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity and enhancing glucose uptake.

Postharvest melatonin treatment reduces chilling injury in sapota fruit.

BACKGROUND: Sapota is a popular tropical fruit characterized by a very short postharvest life. Low-temperature storage prolongs postharvest life of sapota fruit, but chilling injury symptoms can develop if the storage temperature is less than 14 °C. There have been no reports on the effects of postharvest melatonin application on the development of chilling injury in sapota fruit during cold storage. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of postharvest melatonin application (0, 30, 60 and 90 µmol L-1 ) during cold storage (8 °C) for up to 30 days with an additional 1-day shelf life at ambient temperature. RESULTS: All melatonin treatments reduced chilling injury symptoms, reduced electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, H2 O2 and superoxide anion (O2 - ), and increased proline content and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and reduced the activities of phospholipase D (PLD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) compared to the control. CONCLUSION: Postharvest melatonin treatment could be a useful strategy for reducing chilling injury during cold storage and transport of sapota fruit. The results indicate that melatonin reduces chilling injury of sapota fruit through maintaining membrane integrity, SOD and CAT activities, and reducing PLD and LOX activities. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Aloe vera gel coating enriched with Fagonia indica plant extract on physicochemical and antioxidant activity of sapodilla fruit during postharvest storage.

The effect of Aloe vera (AV) gel (at 50% or 100%) alone or enriched with Fagonia indica (FI) plant extract at 1% on physiological and biochemical responses of sapodilla fruit were studied during storage at 20 °C for 12 days. Sapodilla fruit treated with AV 100% and FI 1% significantly reduced weight loss, decay incidence, soluble solids concentration, and kept a high level of firmness and titratable acidity compared to the untreated fruit. FI 1% added to AV 50% or AV 100% efficiently maintained higher ascorbic acid, total flavonoids, total phenolics and radical scavenging activity of sapodilla fruit. The panelists did not detect any negative effect of AV gel and FI plant extract on the sensory attributes of sapodilla fruit. Therefore, the addition of FI plant extract to AV gel coating could be a promising approach to prolong the shelf life and preserve the quality of sapodilla fruit during storage.

Delayed post-harvest ripening-associated changes in Manilkara zapota L. var. Kalipatti with composite edible coating.

BACKGROUND: There has been limited research on extending the shelf-life of sapota (Manilkara zapota L. var. Kalipatti) fruit. An edible coating made up of methyl cellulose (MC) and palm oil (PO) was applied to study the extension in shelf-life. Changes in physical and chemical properties of fruit were studied along with peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and pectin methylesterase (PME) activities during post-harvest ripening of sapota. RESULTS: The fruits coated with 15 g L-1 MC and 11.25 g L-1 PO showed significant (P < 0.05) delay in physiological weight loss, decrease in fruit firmness losses as well as slower fruit darkening. The coating on the fruits resulted in better retention of ascorbic acid, delayed the loss of total phenolic content, and delayed the increase in total soluble solids and total reducing sugars as compared to control fruits. The coating either delayed or reduced the enzyme activities of POD, PPO and PME of the fruit. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that edible coating made up of MC-PO has potential to maintain the quality of sapota fruit. The edible coating extended the shelf-life of sapota fruit by 3 days preserving fruit quality up to 7 days at 24 ± 1 °C and 65 ± 5 %RH. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

In vivo mucoadhesive strength appraisal of gum Manilkara zapota

The mucilage (MMZ) extracted from the seeds of Manilkara zapota(Linn.) P. Royen syn. using maceration techniques was evaluated for mucoadhesive strength by various in vitro and in vivo methods. The result showed that mucoadhesive strength of seeds mucilage have comparable property toward natural and synthetic polymers such as Guar Gum and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC E5LV) under the experimental conditions used in this study. Briefly, it could be concluded that the seed mucilage of Manilkara zapota can be used as a pharmaceutical excipient in oral mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. Further, it may be appropriate to study the changes in these properties after chemical modifications.

Mucilagem (MMZ) extraída das sementes de Manilkara zapota(Linn.) P. Royen syn utilizando técnicas de maceração foi avaliada por sua força mucoadesiva por vários métodos in vitro e in vivo. O resultado mostrou que a força mucoadesiva das sementes mucilaginosas tem propriedade comparável aos polímeros naturais e sintéticos, tais como goma Guar e hidroxipropilmetil celulose (HPMC E5LV) nas condições experimentais utilizadas neste estudo. Brevemente, se pode concluir que a mucilagem de semente de Manilkara zapota pode ser usada como um excipiente farmacêutico em sistemas de liberação de fármacos mucoadesivos por via oral. Pode ser apropriado o estudo posterior de mudanças nessas propriedades após modificações químicas.

How to help the skin cope with glycoxidation.

BACKGROUND: Protein glycation refers to the spontaneous reaction of reducing sugars with proteins and the subsequent formation of stable advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Glycation is linked with oxidative stress, and this association is called "glycoxidation". Glycoxidation alters the protein structure and function and causes tissue aging, as seen in human skin. Therefore, research on substances inhibiting glycoxidation appears to be crucial in the prevention of skin aging. With this aim, several plant extracts have been screened for antiglycation activity, and the results of the best candidates are presented in this article. METHODS: Glycation was studied on human skin proteins (collagen, elastin, and albumin) and on a model of reconstructed skin. Oxidative stress has been addressed by testing the copper-induced low-density lipoprotein oxidation, ultraviolet irradiation of glycated dermis, and carbonyl activation of human dermal fibroblasts. A clinical test evaluated the extent of oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet A irradiation. RESULTS: Among the tested products, several plant extracts have decreased the glycation effects on skin proteins collagen, elastin, and albumin. In addition, a plant extract has significantly inhibited the different forms of oxidative stress associated with protein glycation. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that plant extracts can relieve the deleterious effects of glycation on human skin. Moreover, a plant extract rich in antioxidant molecules has also significantly preserved the human skin from glycoxidation attacks.

Feeding deterrent activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles using Manilkara zapota leaf extract against the house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae).

With a greater awareness of the hazards associated with the use of synthetic organic insecticides, there has been an urgent need to explore suitable alternative products for pest control. Musca domestica is ubiquitous insect that has the potential to spread a variety of pathogens to humans and livestock. They are mechanical carriers of more than hundred human and animal intestinal diseases and are responsible for protozoan, bacterial, helminthic, and viral infections. The present work aimed to investigate the feeding deterrent activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using leaf aqueous extract of Manilkara zapota against M. domestica. The synthesized Ag NPs were recorded from UV-vis spectrum at 421 nm and scanning electron microscopy confirm the biosynthesis and characterization of Ag NPs with spherical and oval in shape and size of 70-140 nm. The FTIR analysis of the purified nanoparticles showed the presence of bands 1,079, 1,383, 1,627, 2,353, and 2,648 cm(-1), which were complete synthesis of AgNPs; the XRD pattern of AgNPs showed diffraction peaks at 2θ values of 38.06°, 44.37°, 64.51°, and 77.31° sets of lattice planes were observed (111), (200), (220), and (311) facts of silver, respectively. Adult flies were exposed to different concentrations of the aqueous extract of synthesized Ag NPs, 1 mM silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) solution and aqueous extract of M. zapota for 1, 2, and 3 h; however, AgNPs showed 72% mortality in 1 h, 89% mortality was found in 2 h, and 100% mortality was found in 3 h exposure at the concentration of 10 mg/mL and the leaf aqueous extract showed 32% mortality in 1 h, 48% mortality was found in 2 h, and 83% mortality was found in 3 h exposure at concentration of 50 mg/mL. The most efficient activity was observed in synthesized Ag NPs against M. domestica (LD(50) = 3.64 mg/mL; LD(90) = 7.74 mg/mL), the moderate activity reported in the aqueous extract of M. zapota (LD(50) = 28.35 mg/mL; LD(90) = 89.19 mg/mL) and nil activity were observed in AgNO(3) solution at 3 h exposure time at 10 mg/mL. Dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP) was used as a positive control and showed the LD(50) value of 3.38 mL/L. These results suggest that the synthesized Ag NPs have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of the adult of M. domestica. This method is considered as a new approach to control sanitary pest. Therefore, this study provides first report on the feeding deterrent activity of synthesized Ag NPs against housefly.