RESUMO

High-throughput RNA-sequencing can determine the impact of nutrients and their combinations on gene transcription levels in osteocytes, and clarify the biological pathways associated with their impact on bone tissues. Previously, we reported that resveratrol (RES) and peonidin-3-O-glucoside (POG) increased osteoblastogenesis, as well as reduced osteoclastogenesis in transgenic teleost fish models. Here, we perform whole-genome transcriptomic profiling of osteoblasts treated with POG or RES to provide a comprehensive understanding of alterations in gene expression and the molecular mechanisms involved. Cultured human fetal osteoblastic hFOB 1.19 cells were treated with the test compounds, and then RNA was used to prepare RNA-seq libraries, that were sequenced using a NovaSeq 6000. Treatment with POG or RES increased osteoblast proliferation and reduced apoptosis. Transcriptomic profiling showed that of the 29,762 genes investigated, 3177 were differentially expressed (1481 upregulated, 1696 downregulated, FDR ≤ 0.05) in POG-treated osteoblasts. In the RES-treated osteoblasts, 2288 genes were differentially expressed (DGEs, 1068 upregulated, 1220 downregulated, FDR ≤ 0.05). Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis (IPA) of DGEs from RES or POG-treated osteoblasts revealed significant downregulation of the apoptosis, osteoarthritis and HIF1α canonical pathways, and a significant reduction in Rankl mRNA expression. The data suggest that RES and POG have both anabolic and anticlastogenic effects.

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RESUMO

This work aimed to obtain and characterize anthocyanin-rich extracts (ARE) from native black beans and evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The initial extract was obtained by supercritical fluids (RE) and purified using Amberlite® XAD-7 resin (PE). RE and PE were fractionated using countercurrent chromatography, and four fractions were obtained (REF1 and REF2 from RE, PEF1, and PEF2 from PE). ARE and fractions were characterized, and the biological potential was evaluated. ABTS IC50 values ranged from 7.9 to 139.2 (mg C3GE/L), DPPH IC50 ranged from 9.2 to 117.2 (mg C3GE/L), and NO IC50 ranged from 0.6 to143.8 (mg C3GE/L) (p < 0.05). COX-1 IC50 ranged from 0.1 to 0.9 (mg C3GE/L), COX-2 IC50 ranged from 0.01 to 0.7 (mg C3GE/L), and iNOS IC50 ranged from 0.9 to 5.6 (mg C3GE/L) (p < 0.05). The theoretical binding energy for phenolic compounds ranged from -8.45 to -1.4 kcal/mol for COX-1, from -8.5 to -1.8 kcal/mol for COX-2, and from -7.2 to -1.6 kcal/mol for iNOS. RE and REF2 presented the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Countercurrent chromatography effectively isolates and purifies bioactive compounds while maintaining their biological potential. Native black beans present an attractive phytochemical profile and could be used as ingredients in nutraceuticals and functional foods.

RESUMO

Anthocyanins (ANCs) are naturally occurring water-soluble pigments responsible for conferring red, blue, and purple colors to fruits, vegetables, flowers, and grains. Due to their chemical structure, they are highly susceptible to degradation by external factors, such as pH, light, temperature, and oxygen. Naturally acylated anthocyanins have proven to be more stable in response to external factors and exhibit superior biological effects as compared with their non-acylated analogues. Therefore, synthetic acylation represents a viable alternative to make the application of these compounds more suitable for use. Enzyme-mediated synthetic acylation produces derivatives that are highly similar to those obtained through the natural acylation process, with the main difference between these two pathways being the catalytic site of the enzymes involved in the synthesis; acyltransferases catalyze natural acylation, while lipases catalyze synthetic acylation. In both cases, their active sites perform the addition of carbon chains to the hydroxyl groups of anthocyanin glycosyl moieties. Currently, there is no comparative information regarding natural and enzymatically acylated anthocyanins. In this sense, the aim of this review is to compare natural and enzyme-mediated synthetic acylated anthocyanins in terms of chemical stability and pharmacological activity with a focus on inflammation and diabetes.

RESUMO

Like China, Mexico has a traditional system of medicine dating back almost 5000 years that incorporates the healing practices of pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Maya and Aztec. Mexican Traditional Medicine (MTM) women depend on MTM practices and herbal medicines for their primary healthcare needs as limited access and high costs of Western medicine is a significant problem. The aims of this work were to determine the medicinal plants more commonly used in MTM for women's reproductive health issues and assess the clinical data supporting their use. Data from multiple sources was compiled and information on plants commonly used by women in Mexico MTM for the treatment of fertility and menstruation issues, pregnancy, and menopause was analyzed. Analysis of the data show that 185 species of plants representing > 60 families were used for a wide range of reproductive health issues. Some of these plants have been used in MTM for fertility regulation in women of which 35 species were used as emmenagogues and abortifacients. Approximate 40 species were used for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, and dysmenorrhea. In terms of pregnancy, 35 species were used for postpartum care and to facilitate breastfeeding, 16 species were used as oxytocic agents to induce labor and speed birth, and six plant species were used to prevent miscarriage. Fourteen plant species were reported to treat infertility or promote fertility, and seven species were used to treat uterine prolapse. Three plants species were reported to treat menopause and two plants were used for osteoporosis. Analysis of the clinical data for commonly used medicinal plants showed some clinical support for the use of these plants in MTM. In Mexico, women use medicinal plants for almost every aspect of reproductive health. While some plants have clinical data, most medicinal plants used in MTM have no safety or efficacy data available and could serve as the basis of future investigations.

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RESUMO

The aim of this work was to evaluate the techno-functional properties of Mexican grasshopper flour with different thermal pretreatments, as well as to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of their protein hydrolysates. Insect flour was thermally treated at 70, 80, 90, and 121 °C. Insect flour protein solubility (184.3 - 278.5 mg/g) was higher at pH 7.0 - 11.0. Thermally processed flour at 70, 80 and 90 °C showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in water/oil holding capacity, emulsion properties and gel minimum concentration. Protein hydrolysates presented antioxidant potential for DPPH (IC50: 0.78 mg/mL), ABTS (IC50: 0.63 mg/mL) and nitric oxide (IC50: 2.21 mg/mL). Protein hydrolysates showed inhibition potential against enzymes COX-2 (IC50: 0.52 mg/mL) and iNOS (IC50: 0.51 mg/mL) in biochemical trials. Molecular docking showed that from the 37 identified peptide sequences, GPPGPAGV (-9.5 kcal/mol) and KPTVGVVTY (-10.4 kcal/mol) have the lower binding energies for COX-2 and iNOS, respectively. S. purpurascens flour and protein hydrolysates could be used as a functional ingredient.

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Edible insects have become a promising food source because they are rich in protein, fatty acids, minerals, among others. In recent years, edible insects have been proposed to be used as innovative functional ingredients in terms of biological activity. The present study aimed to determine and compare biological activities of the extracts and hydrolysates obtained from early- and adult-stage edible grasshoppers Sphenarium purpurascens to evaluate their potential as a source of bioactive compounds. Proximal analyses showed that in adult grasshoppers (AGs), the percentage of protein (48.9% ± 1.2), crude fat (13.1% ± 0.09), and chitin (15.6% ± 0.81) was significantly higher than early grasshoppers (EGs) (42.2% ± 0.55, 9.35% ± 0.08, and 10.5% ± 0.15, respectively). Total phenolic compounds, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) free radical scavenging were analyzed and reported. Enzymatic hydrolysis increased the concentration of total phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant capacity (up to 252.78 mM trolox). Once fractionated by ultrafiltration, the fraction that presented the highest antioxidant activity against DPPH• and ABTS•+ was that with molecules ≤ 10 kDa. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of the samples was analyzed by in vitro protein digestion using a multienzymatic method, and a recovery index (RI) was reported. Extracts and hydrolysates were analyzed by UPLC-MS, and this allowed the identification of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The results obtained in this work suggest that the grasshopper can be used as a possible source of bioactive compounds that can be used in the food or pharmaceutical industry.

RESUMO

The objective was to evaluate the antioxidant and biological potential of eight freeze-dried berry varieties of southern Jalisco using in silico and in vitro approaches. Fourteen tentative phenolic compounds were identified in berries by ESI-QToF, including anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavanols and flavonols. In silico assays of phytochemicals in the berry inhibiting enzymes related to obesity and diabetes showed predicted binding energy interactions (ranging from -5.4 to -9.3 kcal/mol). Among the cultivars, antioxidant potential for DPPH IC50 ranged from 1.27 to 3.40 mg/mL, ABTS IC50 from 2.26 to 7.32 mg/mL and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition IC50 from 4.26 to 11.07 mg/mL. The potential to inhibit α-amylase IC50 ranged from 4.02 to 7.66 mg/mL, α-glucosidase IC50 from 0.27 to 4.09 mg/mL, lipase IC50 from 1.30 to 4.82 mg/mL and DPP-IV IC50 from 1.36 to 3.31 mg/mL. Blackberry cultivars from the southern Jalisco region showed outstanding biological potential compared to other evaluated berries and could be used in the formulation of functional foods in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases.

RESUMO

Snack alternatives based on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have been developed to promote pulse consumption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, sensory acceptance and the effect of common bean baked snack (CBBS) consumption on blood lipid levels in participants with overweight and altered blood lipid levels. A sensory evaluation by 80 untrained judges was carried out using a hedonic scale. A randomized crossover 2 × 2 trial was performed, where 20 participants with overweight and one blood lipid alteration consumed 32 g of CBBS or did not consume it (control) for four weeks. Blood samples were taken to quantify the triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, ApoB-100, glucose and insulin. Furthermore, anthropometric, dietary and physical activity parameters were recorded. The overall acceptance of CBBS was similar compared to popcorn (p > 0.05). The consumption of CBBS reduced the apolipoprotein B-100 levels (p = 0.008). This reduction could be associated with the additional dietary fiber consumption during the CBBS period (p = 0.04). Although it did not improve any other blood lipid or glucose parameters (p > 0.05), it did not affect them either, which means that the CBBS could be consumed without compromising cardiovascular health.

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RESUMO

Natural colorants have emerged as an alternative to their synthetic counterparts due to an existing health concern of these later. Moreover, natural-food colorants are a renewable option providing health benefits and interesting technological and sensory attributes to the food systems containing them. Several sources of natural colorants have been explored aiming to deliver the required wide color range demanded by consumers. This review aimed to compare and discuss the technological applications of the main natural-food colorants into food system in the last six years, giving additional information about their extraction process. Although natural colorants are promising choices to replace synthetic ones, optimization of processing conditions, research on new sources, and new formulations to ensure stability are required to equate their properties to their synthetic counterparts.

RESUMO

The objective was to investigate the anti-adipogenesis potential of selected legume protein hydrolysates (LPH) and combinations using biochemical assays and in silico predictions. Black bean, green pea, chickpea, lentil and fava bean protein isolates were hydrolyzed using alcalase (A) or pepsin/pancreatin (PP). The degree of hydrolysis ranged from 15.5% to 35.5% for A-LPH and PP-LPH, respectively. Antioxidant capacities ranged for ABTS•+ IC50 from 0.3 to 0.9 Trolox equivalents (TE) mg/mL, DPPH• IC50 from 0.7 to 13.5 TE mg/mL and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition IC50 from 0.3 to 1.3 mg/mL. LPH from PP-green pea, A-green pea and A-black bean inhibited pancreatic lipase (PL) (IC50 = 0.9 mg/mL, 2.2 mg/mL and 1.2 mg/mL, respectively) (p < 0.05). For HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) inhibition, the LPH from A-chickpea (0.15 mg/mL), PP-lentil (1.2 mg/mL), A-green pea (1.4 mg/mL) and PP-green pea (1.5 mg/mL) were potent inhibitors. Combinations of PP-green pea + A-black bean (IC50 = 0.4 mg/mL), A-green pea + PP-green pea (IC50 = 0.9 mg/mL) and A-black bean + A-green pea (IC50 = 0.6 mg/mL) presented synergistic effects to inhibit PL. A-chickpea + PP-lentil (IC50 = 0.8 mg/mL) and PP-lentil + A-green pea (IC50 = 1.3 mg/mL) interacted additively to inhibit HMGR and synergistically in the combination of A-chickpea + PP-black bean (IC50 = 1.3 mg/mL) to block HMGR. Peptides FEDGLV and PYGVPVGVR inhibited PL and HMGR in silico, showing predicted binding energy interactions of -7.6 and -8.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Combinations of LPH from different legume protein sources could increase synergistically their anti-adipogenic potential.