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Projeto de investigação
Algarve Centre for Marine Sciences
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Chemical Characterization and Biological Properties Assessment of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum Moroccan Propolis
Publication . Boutoub, Oumaima; El-Guendouz, Soukaïna; Matos, Isabel; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Costa, Maria Clara; Carlier, Jorge D.; Faleiro, Maria Leonor; Figueiredo, Ana Cristina; Estevinho, Leticia M.; Miguel, Maria Graça
Although the plants of the genus Euphorbia are largely exploited by therapists in Morocco, the composition and antibacterial activities of propolis from these plants are still unknown. To address this gap, this study aimed to characterize the pollen type, the volatile compounds, and the phenolic and mineral profiles of three Euphorbia propolis samples collected in Morocco and evaluate their antimicrobial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the propolis samples was determined by the microdilution method, and the anti-adherence activity was evaluated by the crystal violet assay. The examination of anti-quorum-sensing proprieties was performed using the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Pollen analysis revealed that Euphorbia resinifera pollen dominated in the P1 sample (58%), while E. officinarum pollen dominated in the P2 and P3 samples (44%). The volatile compounds were primarily composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons, constituting 35% in P1 and 31% in P2, with alpha-pinene being the major component in both cases, at 16% in P1 and 15% in P2. Calcium (Ca) was the predominant mineral element in both E. resinifera (P1) and E. officinarum (P2 and P3) propolis samples. Higher levels of phenols, flavonoids and dihydroflavonoids were detected in the E. officinarum P2 sample. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value ranged from 50 to 450 mu L/mL against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Euphorbia propolis displayed the ability to inhibit quorum sensing in the biosensor C. violaceum CV026 and disrupted bacterial biofilm formation, including that of resistant bacterial pathogens. In summary, the current study evidences the potential use of E. officinarum propolis (P2 and P3) to combat important features of resistant pathogenic bacteria, such as quorum sensing and biofilm formation.
Harnessing the bioactive potential of Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) kuntze: insights into enzyme inhibition and phytochemical profile
Publication . Youssef, Seria; Custódio, Luísa; Rodrigues, Maria João; Pereira, Catarina G.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Jekő, József; Cziáky, Zoltán; Ben Hamed, Karim
This study assessed the halophyte species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) as a possible source
of natural ingredients with the capacity to inhibit enzymes related to relevant human health disorders
and food browning. Extracts using food-grade solvents such as water and ethanol were prepared by
maceration from dried L. spathulatum leaves. They were evaluated for in vitro inhibition activity of
enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), -glucosidase, tyrosinase
and lipase, related to Alzheimer’s disease, type-2-diabetes mellitus, skin hyperpigmentation,
and obesity, respectively. These extracts were also appraised for in vitro acute toxicity on tumoral and
non-tumoral cell lines and their chemical composition by high-performance liquid chromatography
coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The extracts were
more effective towards BChE than AChE. The best results were obtained with the hydroethanolic and
water extracts, with IC50 values of 0.03 mg/mL and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. The hydroethanolic
extract had the highest capacity to inhibit -glucosidase (IC50: 0.04 mg/mL), higher than the positive
control used (acarbose, IC50 = 3.14 mg/mL). The ethanol extract displayed the best inhibitory activity
against tyrosinase (IC50 = 0.34 mg/mL). The tested samples did not inhibit lipase and exhibited
low to moderate cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines. The hydroethanolic extract had a
higher diversity of compounds, followed by the ethanol and water samples. Similar molecules were
identified in all the extracts and were mainly hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and
flavonoids. Taken together, these results suggest that L. spathulatum should be further explored as a
source of bioactive ingredients for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
Persistence of antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antigenotoxic properties of Polygonum maritimum L. extract after in vitro digestion supports its high potential as a functional food ingredient
Publication . Oliveira, Daniela; Hayrapetyan, Ruzanna; Dias, Maria Inês; Rodrigues, Maria João; Correa, Vanesa Gesser; Carvalho, António Paulo; Corre, Ludovic Le; Séverin, Isabelle; Peralta, Rosane Marina; Santos, Miguel Machado; Custódio, Luísa; Chagnon, Marie-Christine; Oliveira, Rui
Continuous exposure to xenobiotic-contaminated food causes adverse effects that may lead to health complications, including cancer. Halophytes are rich in polyphenols that exhibit notable biological properties and may contribute to cancer prevention. However, digestion can modify the chemical structure of polyphenols, potentially reducing their biological properties. This study investigated the protective effects of a polyphenol-rich extract from the halophyte Polygonum maritimum L. (PME) against contaminants-induced toxicity and assessed the persistence of these properties following in vitro digestion. LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed that the phenolic composition of PME decreased considerably after digestion. Nevertheless, the antioxidant activity of PME, measured as a decrease in reactive oxygen species levels in H2O2-challenged HepG2 cells, persisted post-digestion. The extract showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity after digestion, as shown by the ability to reduce (NO)-N-center dot production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The antigenotoxicity of PME against the contaminant benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in Caco-2 and HepG2 cells remained significant following upper gastrointestinal tract digestion (DPME), whereas the antigenotoxicity against H2O2 only persisted in Caco-2 cells. After colonic fermentation (FPME), antigenotoxicity was observed against H2O2 in HepG2 cells. PME also displayed antimutagenicity towards BaP in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains, which remained relevant in DPME, but was drastically reduced in FPME. Furthermore, Danio rerio fed with PME and BaP showed reduced negative effects in terms of size and lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that PME can protect against contaminants-induced toxicity along the gastrointestinal tract, maintaining bioactivity until colonic fermentation. Thus, PME can be a promising functional food ingredient for health improvement.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Número da atribuição
UIDP/04326/2020