Composition Analysis and Pharmacological Activity of Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiable Products Used in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Objective: Avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASUs) are commonly used to treat OA symptoms. However, there are many ASU mixtures on the market with differing compositions and pharmacological activities. This study aimed to compare the composition and pharmacological activity of seven commercially available ASU products on human osteoarthritis chondrocytes.Methods: The contents of the lipidic part of ASUs were characterized by gas chromatography analysis using a VARIAN 3400 chromatograph. The pharmacological activity of the ASU products was tested on human osteoarthritis chondrocytes cultured in alginate beads. Their effects were evaluated on aggrecan, interleukin (IL)-6 and -8, and matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-3 using immunoassays and on nitric oxide through measurement of nitrite via spectrometry.Results: PIASCLEDINE-ExpASU® showed a specific profile with the presence of chromatographic peaks corresponding to an alkyl furan fraction and alkyl triols. PIASCLEDINE-ExpASU®, Persemax, Insaponifiable 300, Arthrocen, and Arthocare contained quantifiable amounts of tocopherol, while tocopherol was undetectable in Avovida and Saponic. Squalene was found only in PIASCLEDINE-ExpASU®. The abundance of sterols varied depending on the product. PIASCLEDINE-ExpASU® was the most active of the tested ASU products in inhibiting nitric oxide, IL-6, and IL-8 production by chondrocytes. With the exception of Saponic and Persemax, all the ASU mixtures either slightly or significantly increased aggrecan production. MMP-3 levels were significantly decreased by Insaponifiable 300 and PIASCLEDINE-ExpASU® and significantly increased by Saponic.Conclusion: The composition of PIASCLEDINE-ExpASU® is different to that of the other evaluated ASU mixtures. This specific composition explains its better pharmacological activity, including the higher inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory and pro-catabolic factors. Our findings are helpful in providing a basis for understanding the symptomatic effect of PIASCLEDINE-ExpASU® in patients with osteoarthritis.

Occurrence, Levels and Spatial Distribution of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: Case Study of Elemi River in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were seasonally determined in water and sediments of the Elemi River, Nigeria using gas chromatography analysis. Samples were collected in two consecutive seasons for six months, monitoring the program every month. Three BDEs congeners (28, 47 and 154) were only detected with the mean concentration of ND - 0.001 µg/L and ND - 0.143 µg/kg in water and sediments, respectively. BDEs (99, 100, 153, 183 and 209) were consistently absent in both seasons. The distribution of BDEs showed that BDE 28 was consistently found in the water samples throughout the months of sampling, while the sediments sparingly contained BDE 28 and 47. The study proposed the need for effective measures to reduce the deleterious contribution of these persistent compounds into the rivers.

Seasonal variation in the essential oil from Varronia curassavica Jacq. accessions

Varronia curassavica has anti-inflammatory properties because of the terpenes, α-humulene and β-caryophyllene, present in the essential oil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of seasonality on the essential oil of V. curassavica accessions. Leaves from six accessions were collected from the Germplasm Bank of the Federal University of Minas Gerais over 12 months. Correlations between the essential oil content and meteorological factors were determined. Gas chromatography analysis coupled with mass spectrometry was conducted to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil. The content and chemical composition of the oil varied throughout the year. Relative humidity was correlated with accessions ICA-VC2 (-0.64) and ICA-VC4 (0.68). β-bourbonene, β-elemene, spathulenol, germacrene, caryophyllene oxide, α-humulene, and β-caryophyllene occurred in all accessions. Accession ICA-VC3 exhibited lower variation (22.17%), higher average (0.97%) essential oil, and maintained an average abundance of α-humulene greater than 2.6%, which is the amount necessary for phytotherapeutics.

Microencapsulated and Lyophilized Propolis Co-Product Extract as Antioxidant Synthetic Replacer on Traditional Brazilian Starch Biscuit

The residue from commercial propolis extraction may have significant antioxidant power in food technology. However, among the challenges for using the propolis co-product as an inhibitor of lipid oxidation (LO) in baked goods is maintaining its bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the propolis co-product extracts’ capability to reduce LO in starch biscuit formulated with canola oil and stored for 45 days at 25 °C. Two co-product extracts were prepared: microencapsulated propolis co-product (MECP) (with maltodextrin) and lyophilized propolis co-product (LFCP), which were subjected to analysis of their total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (AA). Relevant antioxidant activity was observed using the methods of analysis employed. The spray-drying microencapsulation process showed an efficiency of 63%. The LO in the biscuits was determined by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) test and fatty acid composition by gas chromatography analysis. Palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoelaidic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids were found in biscuits at constant concentrations throughout the storage period. In addition, there was a reduction in malondialdehyde values with the addition of both propolis co-product extracts. Therefore, the propolis co-product extracts could be utilized as a natural antioxidant to reduce lipid oxidation in fatty starch biscuit.

UNUSUALLY LIPID PRODUCTION BY THE MARINE-DERIVED FUNGI Penicillium restrictum

Using marine-derived fungi as a source of lipid production holds promise as an alternative to industrial lipid production for health and nutrition in the future. In the present study, this strain showed a high production of lipid, about plus 80% of the total lipids in the host-derived medium. Gas chromatography analysis of fungal lipids revealed the presence of saturated (mainly palmitic acid C16: 0 and stearic acid C18: 0) and unsaturated fatty acid (mainly linoleic acid C18: 2, oleic acid C18: 1). These findings suggest this marine-derived fungus is a promising source for lipid production in various industrial applications. In particular, a fraction containing glycolipids of the crude extract exhibited potential cytotoxic activity on human oral epidermal carcinoma cell lines. This result is very interesting to further isolate and determine the molecular structure of bioactive glycolipids.

Dodecanol, metabolite of entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus, affects fatty acid composition and cellular immunity of Galleria mellonella and Calliphora vicina

One group of promising pest control agents are the entomopathogenic fungi; one such example is Conidiobolus coronatus, which produces a range of metabolites. Our present findings reveal for the first time that C. coronatus also produces dodecanol, a compound widely used to make surfactants and pharmaceuticals, and enhance flavors in food. The main aim of the study was to determine the influence of dodecanol on insect defense systems, i.e. cuticular lipid composition and the condition of insect immunocompetent cells; hence, its effect was examined in detail on two species differing in susceptibility to fungal infection: Galleria mellonella and Calliphora vicina. Dodecanol treatment elicited significant quantitative and qualitative differences in cuticular free fatty acid (FFA) profiles between the species, based on gas chromatography analysis with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and had a negative effect on G. mellonella and C. vicina hemocytes and a Sf9 cell line in vitro: after 48 h, almost all the cells were completely disintegrated. The metabolite had a negative effect on the insect defense system, suggesting that it could play an important role during C. coronatus infection. Its high insecticidal activity and lack of toxicity towards vertebrates suggest it could be an effective insecticide.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil from the leaves of Helichrysum ibityense R.Vig. & Humbert (Asteraceae)

The present work aimed to study the composition and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of Helichrysum ibityense leaves (HIEO). HIEO was extracted by hydrodistillation from fresh leaves with a yield of 1.9%. It had a relative density of 0.9247 at 20℃, a refractive index of 1.4706, an optical rotation of -0°33, an acid index of 2.10 and an ester index of 54. Gas chromatography analysis/flame ionisation detection of HIEO had identified 17 components, representing more than 99.54% of the overall composition of the HIEO including 1.8-cineole (69.46%) the major component, α-terpinene (4.62%), β-caryophyllene (4.39%), α-pinene (4.13%), β-pinene (2.96%), p-cymene (2.39%) and γ-terpinene (2.16%). The HIEO antimicrobial activity was tested against nine pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Candida albicans using the Disc diffusion and the Microdilution assays. HIEO exhibited broad activity spectrum and high microbial activity with inhibition zones (IZ) ranging from 12 to 35 mm. On Bacillus cereus, the most sensitive bacterium, its Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were 9.37 mg/ml and 13.22 mg/ml respectively. With an MBC/MIC ratio of 1.41, HIEO exerted a bactericidal action on Bacillus cereus. When administered orally to mice at 1000 mg/kg body weight, HIEO caused symptoms of intoxication which disappeared after 24 h. These preliminary results revealed HIEO could be used to treat different infectious diseases if its safety will be confirmed.

Analysis of Chemical Composition and In Vitro and In Vivo Antifungal Activity of Raphanus raphanistrum Extracts against Fusarium and Pythiaceae, Affecting Apple and Peach Seedlings

The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficiency of Raphanus raphanistrum extracts against Fusarium and Pythiaceae species associated with apple and peach seedling decline in Tunisian nurseries. A chemical composition of organic extracts was accomplished using liquid chromatography, thin layer chromatography, and gas chromatography analysis. The in vitro test of three aqueous extract doses of R. raphanistrum against some apple and peach decline agents showed its efficacy in reducing mycelia growth. The in vivo assay of fine powder of this plant on peach seedlings revealed that treatment 8-weeks before the inoculation and planting was more efficient than the treatment before one week. This experiment revealed that the root weight of peach seedlings inoculated by F. oxysporum was improved to 207.29%. For apple seedlings, the treatment 8 weeks before the inoculation and plantation was more efficient than the treatment one week before; it reduced the root browning index. The study of R. raphanistrum chemical composition and its efficiency showed that the glucosinolates products: nitrile (4-Hydroxy-3-(4-methylphenylthio) butane nitrile, benzene acetonitrile, 4-fluoro,butane nitrile, 4-hydroxy-3-[(4-methylphenyl) thio] nitrile), and thiocyanate molecules (thiocyanic acid, ethyle) are responsible for the anti-fungal activities.