Rubén Francisco González-Laredo

Plants with potential use on obesity and its complications

Obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disease and a growing public health problem worldwide. This disease is a causal component of the metabolic syndrome related with abnormalities, including hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, inflammation, among others. There are anti-obesity drugs, affecting the fundamental processes of the weight regulation; however they have shown serious side effects, which outweigh their beneficial effects. Most recent studies on the treatment of obesity and its complications have focused on the potential role of different plants preparation that can exert a positive effect on the mechanisms involved in this pathology. For instance, anti-obesity effects of green tea and its isolated active principles have been reported in both in vitro (cell cultures) and in vivo (animal models) that possess healthy effects, decreasing adipose tissue through reduction of adipocytes differentiation and proliferation. A positive effect in lipid profile, and lipid and carbohydrates metabolisms were demonstrated as well. In addition, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were studied. However, the consumption of green tea and its products is not that common in Western countries, where other plants with similar bioactivity predominate; nevertheless, the effect extension has not been analyzed in depth, despite of their potential as alternative treatment for obesity. In this review the anti-obesity potential and reported mechanisms of action of diverse plants such as: Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hypericum perforatum, Persea americana, Phaseolus vulgaris, Capsicum annuum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Ilex paraguariensis, Citrus paradisi, Citrus limon, Punica granatum, Aloe vera, Taraxacum officinale and Arachis hypogaea is summarized. We consider the potential of these plants as natural alternative treatments of some metabolic alterations associated with obesity.

Effect of the Addition of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Flour on the In Vitro Digestibility of Starch and Undigestible Carbohydrates in Spaghetti

Spaghetti is considered to be a slowly digestible starch food, a feature ruled by the particular physical properties of the product. Several studies have been reported to increase nutritional value of spaghetti, using legumes. We have studied the addition of common bean flour on the starch in vitro digestibility. Spaghetti was prepared with semolina and different concentrations of common bean flour (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%, w/w). Proximate analysis, optimal cooking time, and cooking loss were estimated in crude spaghetti. Total, available, and resistant starches, indigestible fractions, and in vitro starch hydrolysis kinetics were accomplished in cooked spaghetti. Pasta with 30% and 45% of common bean flour showed higher values of protein. Particularly, the lowest cooking time was observed for composite spaghetti with 45% of common bean flour. There was a significant increase in cooking loss when common bean flour in the composite was added. Composite spaghetti samples with increasing common bean flour showed decreasing values of total starch but an important increase in the resistant starch (RS) level and indigestible insoluble fraction values. Plain pasta made with semolina showed the highest enzymatic hydrolysis rate, which decreased when common bean flour was added to the spaghetti. Spaghetti with a higher level of common bean flour was more slowly available, which may have positive implications for human health.

Effect of high-pressure homogenization on the physical and antioxidant properties of Quercus resinosa infusions encapsulated by spray-drying.

Quercus resinosa leaves are used in northern Mexico as a refreshing beverage rich in polyphenolic compounds. These leaves show astringency and hence need taste masking for incorporating in a food product. They also interact with many other food components and are not very stable to food processing environments, thus it is important to protect them and a common way is by encapsulation. In the present study the use of encapsulation by spray-drying of Quercus resinosa leaves infusions was evaluated. Q. resinosa leaves were collected, air dried, and milled prior to infusion preparation. Lactose-sodium caseinate blends at 3 different proportions (11 : 4%, 9 : 6%, and 7 : 8%) were dispersed with a constant amount of lyophilized infusion (0.075%) and processed under high-pressure homogenization (0, 100, 200, 300 MPa). Total phenolic content, DPPH kinetic analysis, deoxy-D-ribose oxidation inhibition, rheological evaluation, and particle size analysis were performed to evaluate the obtained capsules. High antioxidant activity was shown by capsules despite their very low concentration when inhibiting deoxy-D-ribose oxidation. Chain breaking rate was related to polyphenolic concentration in capsules. Using lactose-caseinate blends produces capsules of submicron to nanometer size that retain the good antioxidant capacities of original infusions.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activities of edible red oak (Quercus spp.) infusions in rat colon carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine

Red oak (Quercus spp.) leaves are traditionally used as food in Mexico, and some of their infusions have potential anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects; however, these properties have not yet been scientifically tested. The aim of this work was to explore the anti-inflammatory activity in HT-29 cells and anticarcinogenic effect in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis of red oak infusions. Quercus infusions were prepared and administered as the sole source of drink to male Sprague-Dawley rats (1% w/v) for the entire 26-week experimental period. On week 4, rats received 8 subcutaneous injections of DMH (21 mg/kg body weight) once a week. The results showed that mean tumor (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 2.6 ± 0.3) and multiplicity (1.2 ± 0.1 vs. 2.0 ± 0.23), and β-catenin protein level (2.2-fold) in adenocarcinomas were significantly lower in Quercus  sideroxyla-treated group compared with DMH group. By contrast, Quercus  durifolia and Quercus  eduardii infusions had no protective effect. Additionally, the experiments in HT-29 cells confirmed that Q. sideroxyla infusion effectively decreased the levels of the inflammatory markers COX-2 and IL-8 by modulating the expression of NF-κB. These results highlight some of the molecular mechanisms related to the chemopreventive effect of Q. sideroxyla infusion and its potential value as a source of bioactive compounds.

Minor diarylheptanoid glycosides of Alnus rubra bark

The diarylheptanoid (S)-1,7-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-heptan-3-one-5-O-beta-D-xylopyranosi de, and two known compounds, 1,7-bis-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-heptan-3-one-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranos ide and platyphylloside were isolated from Alnus rubra bark. Structures were established by application of spectrometric techniques.

Chemical evaluation, antioxidant capacity, and consumer acceptance of several oak infusions.

As part of an ongoing screening on natural products, 4 oak leaves were analyzed as potential nutraceutical beverages. The phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, and sensory preferences of leaves infusions from Quercus resinosa, Q. sideroxyla, Q. eduadii, and Q. durifolia in comparison with 2 commercial green teas were investigated. Herbal infusions from oak leaves and Green teas (1%, 80 °C, 10 min) were evaluated for total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), HPLC analysis, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), soluble solids, pH, color, and consumer preference analysis. Q. resinosa leaves infusions have shown the highest TPC, TEAC, and ORAC values but they have attained the lowest preference score. Quercus leaves infusions with higher content of gallic acid and catechins showed best antioxidant capacity but lower consumer preference.

Antioxidant activity of fractions from Quercus sideroxyla bark and identifi cation of proanthocyanidins by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS

Abstract The most active phenolics in Quercus sideroxyla Humb. & Bonpl. residual bark were identified and evaluated following a chromatographic fractionation. Bark powder was defatted with hexane and crude extract (CE) was obtained by extraction with aqueous acetone (70%). A liquid partition with ethyl acetate was performed to produce an organic extract (OE), which was subsequently purified by column chromatography (Toyopearl HW-40F, methanol), and resulted in six methanolic fractions (MF1 to MF6) and an oligomeric fraction (OLF) eluted with acetone 67%. Extraction yields, total phenolic and flavanol contents were determined. The antioxidant activity of bark extracts was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic-acid)-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Their median effective concentration (EC50) data and rate constants for DPPH radical scavenging were also estimated. Identification of major phenolics was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) instruments. Bioactive gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, catechin gallate, dimeric procyanidins, galloylated dimeric proanthocyanidins, trimeric procyanidins, and tetrameric proanthocyanidins were detected and identified in Q. sideroxyla bark extracts. MF2 was the most active fraction containing gallocatechin as its major compound; MF5 and OLF contain galloylated procyanidins, which may explain their higher antiradical activity. OLF besides galloylated procyanidins has gallocatechin, which presumably contributes to its higher antiradical activity. Consequently, Q. sideroxyla bark could be a good source of therapeutic health products or nutraceutical ingredients that may exert a potential prevention or treatment action against diseases in biological systems.

Four New Diarylheptanoid Glycosides From Alnus Rubra Bark

Abstract Four new diarylheptanoid glycosides, rubranosides A,B,C and D (1–4), were isolated from red alder (Almus rubra) bark. All contain the common aglycone moiety, rubranol (5).

A stilbene xyloside from Holodiscus discolor bark

Abstract ( E )-Resveratrol-3- O -β- d -xylopyranoside was isolated from the stem bark of Holodiscus discolor .

Gastroprotective potential of Buddleja scordioides Kunth Scrophulariaceae infusions; effects into the modulation of antioxidant enzymes and inflammation markers in an in vivo model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE A common plant used to treat several gastric disorders is Buddleja scordioides Kunth, commonly known as salvilla. AIM OF THE STUDY To detect inflammatory markers, in order to evaluate the gastroprotective potential of salvilla infusions, as this could have beneficial impact on the population exposed to gastric ulcers and colitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present work attempted infusions were prepared with B. scordioides (1% w/w) lyophilized and stored. Total phenolic content and GC-MS analysis were performed. Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=8), a negative vehicle control, an indomethacin group, and three experimental groups, named preventive, curative, and suppressive. All rats were sacrificed under deep ether anesthesia (6h) after the last oral administration of indomethacin/infusion. The rat stomachs were promptly excised, weighed, and chilled in ice-cold and 0.9% NaCl. Histological analysis, nitrites quantification and immunodetection assays were done. RESULTS B. scordioides infusions markedly reduced the visible hemorrhagic lesions induced by indomethacin in rat stomachs, also showed down-regulation of COX2, IL-8 and TNFα and up-regulation of COX-1 with a moderate down-regulation of NFkB and lower amount of nitrites. However, this behavior was dependent on the treatment, showing most down-regulation of COX-2, TNFα and IL-8 in the curative treatment; more down-regulation of NF-kB in the preventive treatment; and more up-regulation of COX-1 for the suppressor and preventive treatments. CONCLUSION The anti-inflammatory potential of B. scordioides infusions could be related with the presence of polyphenols as quercetin in the infusion and how this one is consumed.