177,281 research outputs found
Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract: chemical composition, antioxidant and hypoglicaemic activities
No full textRuta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract was investigated for its chemical profile and antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties. The antioxidant effects were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Chi-carotene bleaching, and metal chelating activity assays. The carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes inhibition assay was used to test the hypoglycaemic potential. R. chalepensis showed a high content of hesperidin and rutin with values of 591.9 and 266.7 mg/g dry extract, respectively. The extract exhibited a promising protection of lipid peroxidation (IC50 value of 16.9 mu g/mL) and inhibited both alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest activity was found against alpha-amylase (IC50 value of 69.0 mu g/mL). The obtained results support the use of R. chalepensis leaves as healthy food ingredients
Iridoid and bisiridoid glycosides from Globularia meridionalis (Podp.) O. Schwarz aerial and underground parts
No full textEvaluation of phototoxic potential of aerial components of the fig tree against human melanoma
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Cell Proliferation
Volume 45, Issue 3, June 2012, Pages 279-285
Evaluation of phototoxic potential of aerial components of the fig tree against human melanoma (Article)
Conforti, F.a ,
Menichini, G.b,
Zanfini, L.a,
Tundis, R.a,
Statti, G.A.a,
Provenzano, E.c,
Menichini, F.a,
Somma, F.b,
Alfano, C.b
a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Italy
b Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Perugia University, Perugia, Italy
c Operative Unit of Dermatology, A.O. of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy
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Abstract
Objectives: To date, Ficus carica L. cultivar Dottato (F. carica) has not been studied from a phototoxic point of view. In the present work, aerial components of F. carica from Italy, were examined to assess their antioxidant and phototoxic activity on human melanoma cells. A relationship between antioxidant, phototoxic activities and chemical composition has also been investigated. Materials and methods: Coumarin and fatty acid content in F. carica leaves, bark and woody parts were examined and compared by capillary GC and GC/MS. Polyphenolic content was also determined. Linoleic acid peroxidation and DPPH test were used to assess antioxidant activities, and MTT assay was used to evaluate anti-proliferative activity, on C32 human melanoma cells, after irradiation with a UVA dose of 1.08 J/cm 2. Results: Leaves demonstrated the best antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity in comparison to bark and wood. In particular, leaves were shown to possess the highest anti-radical activity and inhibition of peroxidation, with IC 50 values of 64 and 1.48 μg/ml respectively. The leaves had highest anti-proliferative activity with IC 50 value of 3.92 μg/ml. The phytochemical investigation revealed different composition between the coumarins, psoralen and bergapten, fatty acids, polyphenols and flavonoid content among plant parts. Conclusions: Data obtained indicate that this type of fig tree may constitute an excellent source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, coumarins and fatty acids. This study offers a new perspective in developing others formulations potentially useful in photodynamic therapy for treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer
Spent espresso coffee grounds as a source of anti-proliferative and antioxidant compounds
No full textDisposal of spent espresso coffee grounds (SCG) is costly and leads to the loss of bioactive compounds that could be fractionated, in several applications. This work aimed to investigate phenolic profile, tocopherols, and antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of SCGs ethanolic extracts from coffee powders differing in coffee provenience and composition (arabica/robusta). Tyrosol, detected for the first time in SCGs, was the most abundant phenolic measured (121-1,084 mg/kg in the extract), along with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillin (885-1813 and 340-1103 mg/kg, respectively). Extract derived from 100% robusta from Guatemala (S7-R) showed the highest α- to ß-tocopherol ratio of 1.2 and the highest antioxidant potential as evidenced by RACI and GAS values of -0.43 and 0.20, respectively. Moreover, S7-R showed a promising anti-proliferative activity toward human lung carcinoma cells (A549), with IC50 value of 61.2 ug/mL comparable to that given by the positive control vinblastine (IC50 value of 67.3 ug/mL)
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
No full textWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Chemistry and functional properties in prevention of neurodegenerative disorders of five Cistus species essential oils
No full textThe chemical composition of Cistus creticus, Cistus salvifolius, Cistus libanotis, Cistus monspeliensis and Cistus villosus essential oils has been examined by GC and GC-MS analysis. Height-nine constituents were identified in C. salvifolius oil, sixty in C. creticus, fifty-six in C. libanotis, fifty-four in C. villosus, forty-five in C. monspeliensis. Although the five species belong to the same genus, the composition showed interesting differences. Essential oils were screened also for their potential antioxidant effects (by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and β-carotene bleaching test) and their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity, useful for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. C. monspeliensis exhibited the most promising activity in β-carotene bleaching test (IC50 of 54.7μg/mL). In FRAP test C. libanotis showed a value of 19.2μM Fe(II)/g. C. salvifolius showed the highest activity against AChE (IC50 of 58.1μg/mL) while C. libanotis, C. creticus, C. salvifolius demonstrated a good inhibitory activity against BChE with IC50 values of 23.7, 29.1 and 34.2μg/mL, respectively. Overall our results could promote the use of the essential oil of different Cistus species as food additives and for formulation of herbal infusion or nutraceutical product
Extracts of different polarity of Daphne laureola L. as valuable source of antioxidant and neuroprotective compounds
No full textIn this study, Daphne laureola L., an European-Mediterranean species, was investigated for its antioxidant properties using different in vitro bioassays, namely 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Activity Power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching assays. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity using the Ellman’s method was also examined. The aerial parts of D. laureola were subjected to exhaustive and subsequent macerations with solvents at different polarity, such as methanol, dichloromethane, and n-hexane. Dichloromethane extract was the most promising in DPPH and FRAP tests with IC50 values of 32.2 μg/mL and 71.5
μM Fe(II)/g, respectively. Methanol extract showed the most promising inhibition of lipid peroxidation evaluated by β-carotene bleaching test with an IC50 value of 6.6 μg/mL after 30 min of incubation. This extract was the most active against AChE (IC50 value of 56.9 μg/mL). An interesting result was obtained against BChE by the n-hexane extract, with an IC50 value of 49.7 μg/mL. In conclusion, the results suggest that D. laureola may provide a substantial source of phytochemicals, which act as natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer disease
"Closing the R&D Gap, Evaluating the Sources of R&D Spending"
No full textBoth spending and tax policies have been implemented in the United States with the goal of stimulating private sector research and development (R&D). Karier questions whether current R&D policy, especially the research and experimentation tax credit, can contribute to closing the gap between nondefense expenditures on R&D in the United States and such expenditures in other countries, such as Japan and Germany. He also explores possible changes to our current R&D policy to make it more effective.
Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities on Foodborne Pathogens of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae) Leaves Extracts
No full textAntioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of Globularia meridionalis extracts and isolated constituents
No full textThe antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase properties of Globularia meridionalis (Podp.) O. Schwarz (Globulariaceae) were investigated. G. meridionalis aerial parts and roots were extracted with methanol, and the total extract successively partitioned with n-hexane. The methanol fraction of the roots showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC 50 values of 8.0 and 2.1 μg/mL in the DPPH and β-carotene bleaching tests, respectively. From this fraction, three flavonoids, namely pectolinarigenin 7-O-β-glucoside, apigenin 7-O-β-glucoside and luteolin, and two phenylethanoids, namely acteoside and isoacteoside, were isolated. Potential anti-cholinesterase effects were assessed through the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes inhibition assay. The n-hexane fraction of the roots exhibited the highest activity against both AChE and BChE with IC 50 values of 65.5 and 70.4 μg/mL, respectively
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