Browsing by Author "Nicolescu, Alexandru"
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- Association of enzymatic and optimized ultrasound-assisted aqueous extraction of flavonoid glycosides from dried Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Sea Buckthorn) berriesPublication . Nicolescu, Alexandru; Babotă, Mihai; Aranda Cañada, Eduardo; Dias, Maria Inês; Añibarro-Ortega, Mikel; Cornea-Cipcigan, Mihaiela; Tanase, Corneliu; Radu Sisea, Cristian; Mocan, Andrei; Barros, Lillian; Crişan, GianinaThe main purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of associating an optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) protocol with enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) in aqueous media, using the dried berries of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) as plant material. A specialized software was used for the determination of potential optimal extraction parameters, leading to the development of four optimized extracts with different characteristics (UAE ± EAE). For these extracts, buffered or non-buffered solutions have been used, with the aim to determine the influence of adjustable pH on extractability. As enzymatic solution, a pectinase, cellulase, and hemicellulase mix (2:1:1) has been applied, acting as pre-treatment for the optimized protocol. The highest extractive yields have been identified for non-buffered extracts, and the E-UAE combination obtained extracts with the highest overall in vitro antioxidant activity. The HPLC-MSn analysis demonstrated a rich composition in different types of isorhamnetin-O-glycosides, as well as some quercetin-O-glycosides, showing a high recovery of specific flavonol-type polyphenolic species. Moreover, we have tentatively identified two flavanols (i.e., catechin and epigallocatechin) and one flavone derivative (i.e., luteolin).
- Bioaccessibility and bioactive potential of different phytochemical classes from nutraceuticals and functional foodsPublication . Nicolescu, Alexandru; Babotă, Mihai; Barros, Lillian; Lucini, Luigi; Tanase, Corneliu; Mocan, Andrei; Bunea, Claudiu I.; Crisan, GianinaNutraceuticals and functional foods are composed of especially complex matrices, with polyphenols, carotenoids, minerals, and vitamins, among others, being the main classes of phytochemicals involved in their bioactivities. Despite their wide use, further investigations are needed to certify the proper release of these phytochemicals into the gastrointestinal medium, where the bioaccessibility assay is one of the most frequently used method. The aim of this review was to gather and describe different methods that can be used to assess the bioaccessibility of nutraceuticals and functional foods, along with the most important factors that can impact this process. The link between simulated digestion testing of phytochemicals and their in vitro bioactivity is also discussed, with a special focus on the potential of developing nutraceuticals and functional foods from simple plant materials. The bioactive potential of certain classes of phytochemicals from nutraceuticals and functional foods is susceptible to different variations during the bioaccessibility assessment, with different factors contributing to this variability, namely the chemical composition and the nature of the matrix. Regardless of the high number of studies, the current methodology fails to assume correlations between bioaccessibility and bioactivity, and the findings of this review indicate a necessity for updated and standardized protocols.
- Potential therapeutic applications of infusions and hydroalcoholic extracts of Romanian glutinous sage (Salvia glutinosa L.)Publication . Nicolescu, Alexandru; Babotă, Mihai; Ilea, Maria; Dias, Maria Inês; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Gavrilaș, Laura; Rocchetti, Gabriele; Crişan, Gianina; Mocan, Andrei; Barros, Lillian; Pârvu, Alina ElenaEthnopharmacological relevance: Salvia glutinosa, also known as the glutinous sage, has been used in Romanian folk medicine in the treatment of inflammation, injuries, and mild infections. However, there is no direct scientific evidence to demonstrate these activities. Aim of the Study: The present research was based on evaluating antioxidant, antiproliferative, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of S. glutinosa extracts, as well as the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Materials and Methods: Infusions and 70% (v:v) ethanol solution extracts of S. glutinosa stems and leaves, collected from two different locations in Romania, were prepared. Ten phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using the LC-DAD-ESI/MSn method, and total phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), antiproliferative, antiinflammatory and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined. A rat model of induced inflammation with turpentine oil was used for the examination of in vivo effects of the extracts, using diclofenac as an antiinflammatory control. Results: The highest inhibitory α-glucosidase activity was determined to be IC50 = 0.546 mg/ml for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material collected on the road to Sighișoara. The highest cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cell line was determined to be GI50 = 131.68 ± 5.03 μg/ml, for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material from Sighișoara. In vivo administration of extract (200 mg lyophilized powder/ml) showed a significant reduction of NO production.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that S. glutinosa extracts exhibit antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, as well as a modest cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cell line. By in vivo administration, the extracts show antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity, which correlates with the traditional use of the species. The environmental conditions seemed to induce important changes in the chemical composition and the bioactivity of the herbal preparations derived from S. glutinosa.
- Thymus species from romanian spontaneous flora as promising source of phenolic secondary metabolites with health-related benefitsPublication . Babotă, Mihai; Frumuzachi, Oleg; Mafra, Isabel; Nicolescu, Alexandru; Dias, Maria Inês; Pinela, José; Barros, Lillian; Añibarro-Ortega, Mikel; Stojković, Dejan; Carevic, Tamara; Mocan, Andrei; López, Víctor; Crisan, GianinaWild thyme aerial parts (Serpylli herba) are recognized as a valuable herbal product with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. Although pharmacopoeial regulations allow its collection exclusively from Thymus serpyllum, substitution with other species is frequent in current practice. This study analyzed the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and enzyme-inhibitory and antimicrobial activity of the hydroethanolic extracts obtained from five Romanian wild thyme species (Thymus alpestris, T. glabrescens, T. panonicus, T. pulcherimus and T. pulegioides). The analysis of individual phenolic constituents was performed through LC-ESI-DAD/MS2, while for the in vitro evaluation of antioxidant potential, TEAC, FRAP, DPPH, TBARS and OxHLIA assays were employed. The anti-enzymatic potential was tested in vitro against tyrosinase, alpha-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase. High rosmarinic acid contents were quantified in all species (20.06 +/- 0.32-80.49 +/- 0.001 mg/g dry extract); phenolic acids derivatives (including salvianolic acids) were confirmed as the principal metabolites of T. alpestris and T. glabrescens, while eriodictyol-O-di-hexoside was found exclusively in T. alpestris. All species showed strong antioxidant potential and moderate anti-enzymatic effect against alpha-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase, showing no anti-tyrosinase activity. This is the first detailed report on the chemical and biological profile of T. alpestris collected from Romanian spontaneous flora.