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AbstractA sensitive and economical analytical method involving the solidification of floating organic drop microextraction technique with a dispersive solvent is utilized for extraction and enrichment of nickel in St. John’s wort tea infusions. Bis-N,N′-(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine was used as the complexing agent. The analyses were done with a slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). The experimental parameters for the preconcentration procedure were optimized. The developed method provided a 26.5-fold enhanced detection power compared to determination by conventional FAAS. The limits of detection and quantification were 24 and 79 µg/kg, respectively, within a linear range of 50–500 µg/kg. The applicability of the method was tested on infusions of two samples of St. John’s wort tea. Matrix matching was adopted to eliminate/minimize the interferences on the signal. Spiked experiments in which high recovery values in the range of 89.3–121.4% were obtained indicate the accuracy and validity of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Free radicals produced by bleaching can cause oxidative stress which may impact on pulp inflammation, therefore antioxidants are needed to counteract these negative effects. Green tea is a herb that contains the antioxidant EGCG so it has great potential to neutralize the effects of those free radicals. The aim: This study aims to learn the effect of green tea (camellia sinensis) extract gel with a 10% concentration compared to that of 5% concentration on the number of blood vessels in the dental pulp after extracoronal bleaching with 40% hydrogen peroxide on the number of blood vessels in the dental pulp of Wistar rats. Methods: This study used 15 maxillary molar teeth of male Wistar rats which were divided into 3 treatment groups. Group 1 (control) was rinsed with distilled water, Group II used 5% green tea extract gel and Group III used 10% green tea extract gel, each for 3 minutes after 5 minutes of bleaching treatment on the occlusal surface of Wistar rat molar teeth. Wistar rats were sacrificed on the 5th day after treatment. The teeth were processed for histological microscopic evaluation and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, then observed using a light microscope with 400x magnification and the number of visible blood vessels in the dental pulp was counted. Results: One Way ANOVA test results showed that there was an effect of green tea extract gel concentration on the number of blood vessels in all groups (p < 0.05). Post Hoc test results with LSD showed that there was a significant difference in the mean number of blood vessels in all pairs of groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Green tea extract (camellia sinensis) of 10% concentration causes fewer blood vessels compared to application with green tea extract of 5% concentration and control groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates the therapeutic mechanisms of Cai's Herbal Tea in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) mice, focusing on its effects on mitochondrial change and autophagy via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)—mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Methods: The composition of Cai's Herbal Tea was analyzed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS). C57BL/6 mice and Min6 pancreatic beta cells were divided into control, diabetic mellitus (DM)/high glucose (HG), and treatment groups (low, medium, and high doses of Cai's Tea, and Metformin). Key physiological parameters, pancreatic islet health, Min6 cell morphology, viability, and insulin (INS) secretion were assessed. Small Interfering RNA-AMPK (si-AMPK) was utilized to confirm the pathway involvement. Results: Cai's Herbal Tea improved body weight, pancreatic islet pathological injury, and INS secretion whereas reduced total triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, and Interferon gamma (INF-γ) in T1DM mice, particularly at higher doses. In Min6 cells, Cai's Tea mitigated HG-induced damage and proinflammatory response, enhancing cell viability and INS secretion. Notably, it reduced swelling and improved cristae structure in treated groups of mitochondria and promoted autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR pathway, evidenced by increased LC3II/LC3I and P-AMPK/AMPK ratios, and decreased P-mTOR/mTOR and P62 expressions in pancreatic islet β-cells. Furthermore, these effects were converted by si-AMPK interference. Conclusion: Cai's Herbal Tea exhibits significant therapeutic efficacy in T1DM mice by improving mitochondrial health and inducing autophagy through the AMPK-mTOR pathway in pancreatic islet β-cells. These findings highlight its potential as a therapeutic approach for T1DM management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the ethnobotanical diversity of wild plant teas across various populations in the Balkan mountain regions, focusing on cultural and ecological influences. Data were collected through ethnobotanical field surveys conducted in thirteen distinct areas, encompassing approximately 900 interviews with local populations, including Albanians, Bosniaks, North Macedonians, Goranis, and Serbs. The study identifies 143 genera used in traditional teas, with species frequency and distribution patterns analysed concerning elevation and cultural factors. Statistical analyses using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis revealed clear grouping patterns between populations based on ecological zones. The results show a clear correlation between altitude and the herbal use of plant genera, with higher elevations (above 700 m) supporting a greater variety of local species. Cultural practices, such as tea consumption during communal gatherings, also significantly shaped the selection of plants across different populations. For instance, Sideritis species were most prevalent among Albanian and North Macedonian communities, while Thymus and Mentha species were widely used across all groups. Moreover, cultural exchanges can explain the similarity of wild teas reported by Bosniaks (in Bosnia) and North Albanians, located far away from each other but showing similar traits due to possible common origins or the effect of centuries of pastoralism, which may have generated a constant exchange of local plant practices. The study concludes that ecological conditions and cultural exchanges significantly influence the choice, use, and resilience of wild plant herbal traditions in the Balkans. However, modern pressures such as urbanisation and market-driven consumption are increasingly threatening these practices. This highlights the need for conservation strategies that integrate ecological preservation and cultural heritage safeguarding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is an intrinsic protective mechanism against various forms of cellular injuries in humans; however, its undesired activation results in tissue damage and cell death. The onset of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are the key characteristics of autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for which an effective treatment is yet to be developed. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of a novel herbal preparation, Jing‐Si herbal tea (JS), against H2O2‐induced inflammation and cellular damage in HIG‐82 synoviocytes. We found that JS did not show any significant alterations in cell viability at <188 μg/mL; however, a cytotoxic effect was observed at 188–1883 μg/mL concentrations tested. We found that expressions of inflammation associated extracellular matrix (ECM)‐degrading proteases MMP‐13, ADAMTS‐2, ‐8, and ‐17 were abnormally enhanced under H2O2‐induced pathological oxidative stress (ROS) in HIG‐82 cells. Interestingly, JS treatment not only reduced the ROS levels but also significantly repressed the protein expressions of collagen degrading proteases in a dose‐dependent manner. Treatment with JS showed enhanced cell viability against H2O2‐induced toxic ROS levels. The expressions of cell protective aggrecan, Collagen II, and Bcl‐2 were increased, whereas MMP‐13, ADAMTS‐2, Cytochrome C, and cleaved Caspase 3 were decreased by JS under inflammatory agents H2O2, MIA, LPS, and TNF‐α treatment, respectively, in HIG‐82 cells. Interestingly, the cytoprotective effect of JS treatment was attributed to a decreased mitochondrial localization of Bax and a reduction of Cytochrome C release into the cytoplasm of H2O2‐treated HIG‐82 cells. Collectively, our results suggest a novel protective mechanism of JS for RA treatment, which could be potentially applied as a complementary treatment or as an alternative therapeutic approach to mitigate inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Vine tea extract (VTE), from the traditional Chinese herbal tea, was added to reconstituted skimmed milk; the mixture was fermented with Lacticaseibacillus casei, and fermentation characteristics, flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity (AOC), and viability of L. casei were measured. 2 mg/mL VTE promoted L. casei growth and 8 mg/mL VTE inhibited growth, an effect consistent with observed pH changes. Total flavonoid content and AOC increased with increasing VTE dosage. Dihydromyricetin was partially metabolized during fermentation and accounted for most of the antioxidant function of VTE. 2 mg/mL VTE was optimal for maintenance of probiotic culture and pH stability during cold storage and improved AOC during product shelf life. VTE has the potential to increase the health benefits of probiotic dairy products, and the resulting mixture may be suitable to use as a daily milk‐based health drink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al3+ excess in the body can cause many diseases. The development of chemosensors for the detection of Al3+ is therefore highly desirable. A hydrazide Schiff base compound containing triphenylphosphonium units (ER) was prepared and used as fluorescence turn-on sensor for the sensing of Al3+. Detection of Al3+ among various metals has been achieved successfully through the formation of Al3+-ligand coordination complexes. To detect Al3+, the "turn on" property of the fluorogenic chemosensor was investigated. Fluorescence sensing studies were carried out in CH3OH-Water (v/v, 9/1, pH 7.0) at λem = 528 nm. The LOD for sensing of Al3+ was found to be 0.129 µM. Using Job's graph, the stoichiometric ratio of ER- Al3+ was determined to be 1:1. The binding constant was determined to be 1.7 × 107 M−1 between Al3 + and the chemosensor ER. Finally, the determination of Al3+ in real herbal teas was carried out by using the sensing function of the chemosensor ER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jilungin (Terminalia canescens) is a native Australian plant and the Indigenous "Nyul Nyul" people of the Kimberley region of Western Australia use its leaves to make herbal tea. Due to the rise in the popularity of drinking Jilungin tea among the consumers in Australia and internationally, it is important to study the nutritional and health‐beneficial properties as well as safety of Jilungin leaves. This study aims to determine the nutritional composition, anti‐nutritional factors, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties of Jilungin leaves. Also, the phytochemical profiling using UHPLC‐MS/MS (Ultra‐performance liquid chromatographymass spectrometry) and antioxidant activity of Jilungin methanolic extracts and herbal infusion were investigated. The safety of the leaves and infusion was also investigated by using in vitro mammalian cell lines (Caco2, HT29, and HepG2) through cell viability assays. The leaves are rich in dietary fiber (43.9%) and linoleic acid (30.4% of total fatty acids). Phytochemical profiling revealed ellagic acid, geraniin, pedunculagin, and punicalagin as the major bioactive compounds. The results also demonstrated that Jilungin has strong antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. A significant (p < 0.01) strong positive correlation was observed between the high antioxidant activity of Jilungin infusion with the major bioactive compounds. Jilungin extracts (50 mg/mL) exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Its infusion and methanolic extract were safe on the studied cell lines (Caco‐2, HT29, and HepG2) at higher concentrations of 66.6 and 98 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, Jilungin teas or infusions could be a safe and effective way to promote health and well‐being. Practical Application: Jilungin tea is very popular among consumers in Australia and is gaining popularity worldwide. The current study will increase knowledge on the nutritional aspects and safety of the Jilungin use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of the global tea industry market, influenced by the growing demands for healthier diet options, resulted in the constant increase in herbal tea production. In accordance, increased production leads to increased waste generation, especially in the area of filter tea production, which generates waste in the form of powdered plant material with particle sizes lower than 0.315 mm. The generated amount of this powdered plant material, also called herbal dust, can vary in the range from 10 to 40% of the total processed plant, and it is often considered waste only due to its size. Therefore, within this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was utilized for the extraction of green tea (Camellia sinensis L.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), and hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) herbal dust, and the quality of the obtained extracts was evaluated in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and phenolic profile. In addition, UAE was conducted on the three different amplitudes (20, 60, and 100%) and two different extraction times (5 and 10 min) in order to investigate and compare the influence of different extraction parameters. The results showed that the maximum TPC for green tea, hibiscus, and lemon balm herbal dust was 152.91 ± 0.74, 60.63 ± 0.10, and 356.22 ± 3.13 mg GAE/g DE, respectively. HPLC analysis conducted for all of the obtained extracts confirmed the presence of several phenolic compounds, with the highest concentrations of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) for the extracts of green tea, and neochlorogenic acid for hibiscus herbal dust extracts. The HPLC analysis of the lemon balm extracts recorded the highest concentration of rosmarinic acid for all of the UAE conditions. The results reported within this study indicate that previously considered waste, herbal dust plant material can be successfully extracted by application of UAE and that the obtained extracts exhibit concentrations of bioactive compounds comparable to the extracts of the commercially available plant material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the role of various Instagram contents on customer behavior. The studied case is associated with herbal teas sold on active Instagram pages. Design/methodology/approach: A structured questionnaire is exploited to collect data from customers. The integration of two entropy weight methods and weighted sum method are used to evaluate the priority of contents. In addition, model development is illustrated through which Instagram broadcasting tools are prioritized benefiting from fuzzy cognitive map method. Findings: The results illustrate that customer behavior is moderated by content types, which empirically enhances the profitability of the business. The results of this study reveal that educational live, show other ones experience at live as well as motivational lives are the most effective contents. This study is a pioneering one to practically assess the construct of social media engagement through the effects of content types on the Instagram platform. Originality/value: The effects of various contents, including motivational content, other customers' experiences, products, educational content and purchase bill, on customer behavior are studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinskaja is a rare, endemic tree species in China. The leaves of C. paliurus contain a high concentration of biologically active compounds, and they are often used to make herbal tea. Exogenous selenium (Se) enrichment can promote the levels of active ingredients in C. paliurus. To explore the effects of exogenous Se enrichment, this study applied different concentrations of sodium selenite solution on the leaves (0, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 300 mg/L) and measured the changes in Se, secondary metabolites, soluble sugar, soluble protein, starch, and trace elements in the leaves at different treatment times. The results showed that with the increase in the concentration of sodium selenite spray, the selenium content in the leaves of C. paliurus gradually increased, and high selenium concentrations could cause seedling burning to the leaf surface (>160 mg/kg). When the selenium treatment concentration was 80 mg/kg, the selenium content reached the maximum value of the selenium-rich tea standard (4 mg/kg). The content of polyphenols and most elements reached their maxima under the treatment of 40 mg/L Na2SeO3, except for Mg and Mn, which peaked at 300 mg/L. The content of soluble sugars (38.1 mg/g) and starch reached their maxima under relatively high selenium treatment concentrations, whereas soluble protein (10.63 mg/g) exhibited its maximum value in the control group. The optimal harvest time was mainly concentrated in the 10–20 day treatment period. The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of exogenous selenium application on the nutritional quality of C. paliurus leaves. The findings will provide guidance for the effective cultivation of selenium-enriched Poria cocos as a medicinal and health-promoting product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Lagerstroemia L. (Lythraceae), known for its exquisite flowers and prolonged flowering period, is commonly employed in traditional medicinal systems across Asian countries, where it has always been consumed as tea or employed to address ailments such as diabetes, urinary disorders, coughs, fevers, inflammation, pain, and anesthesia. Its diverse uses may be attributed to its rich active ingredients. Currently, at least 364 biological compounds have been identified from Lagerstroemia extracts, encompassing various types such as terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and phenylpropanoids. Extensive in vitro and in vivo experiments have examined the pharmacological activities of different extracts, revealing their potential in various domains, including but not limited to antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antitumor, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hepatoprotective effects. Additionally, 20 core components have been proven to be associated with antidiabetic and hypoglycemic effects of Lagerstroemia. Overall, Lagerstroemia exhibit substantial medicinal potential, and the alignment between its traditional applications and contemporary pharmacological findings present promising opportunities for further investigation, particularly in food and health products, drug development, herbal teas, and cosmetics. However, evidence-based pharmacological research has largely been confined to in vitro screening and animal model, lacking clinical trials and bioactive compound isolations. Consequently, future endeavors should adopt a more holistic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea is the second most widely consumed beverage globally, after water, and is known for its substantial antioxidant properties, primarily due to its phenolic content. This study quantifies phenolic compounds and assesses antioxidant activity in ten types of tea and selected herbal infusions, individually and in combination. Our findings reveal that free phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity were twelve times and eight times greater than bound phenolic compounds. Among individual infusions, white tea exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic content, with 172.51 µmol TE/1000 g and 7.83 mg GAE/1000 g, respectively. In combination, white/linden flower tea showed the highest antioxidant activity (374.44 µmol TE/1000 g), and white/orange tea contained the highest phenolic content (9.24 mg GAE/1000 g). This study identified primarily two phenolic compounds, epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate, and one alkaloid, caffeine, in tea and herbal combinations. Compared to other combinations, we observed significant variations in catechins and caffeine between white and dark teas. Integrating specific herbal infusions with tea can enhance antioxidant activity up to three-fold compared to tea alone. This research offers valuable insights into optimizing herbal infusions to maximize antioxidant benefits, creating new opportunities to enhance the health benefits of tea-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea, a culturally significant beverage, originated around 2700 B.C. in ancient Chinese civilization, with a profound understanding of its therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines from diverse plant sources have been esteemed for their phytochemical content. Today, tea's appeal spans the globe, with various processing techniques creating distinct tea varieties. This review article comprehensively explores tea and herbal teas, encompassing their origins, types, trade history, health benefits, chemical composition, and market and future dynamics. This review examines tea's evolution from ancient China to its global significance and analyzes the impact of tea trade routes on cultural exchanges and trade dynamics. The review covers conventional teas (black, green, and oolong), blended teas, and herbal teas. It primarily focuses on herbal beverages' chemical composition and active components derived from diverse plants and botanicals, highlighting their traditional uses and health‐promoting applications. The review provides valuable insights into the dynamic herbal tea market, growth, consumer preferences, industry trends, and future aspects of the herbal beverage. Additionally, it explores the proper classification and preparation of herbal drinks for maximum benefits, shedding light on tea manufacturing and preparation processes. This review is a valuable resource for tea enthusiasts, health‐conscious individuals, and industry stakeholders, offering profound insights into teas and their multifaceted allure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health problem primarily caused by the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Therefore, the inadequacy of antibiotics in treating infections has led to exploring effective alternative treatment options, such as natural sources like essential oils. Mentha longifolia subsp. typhoides (Lamiaceae) is an economically important medicinal and aromatic plant used in traditional medicine as a spice and herbal tea. This study aimed to characterize the essential oil composition of this species (MLT-EO) and its biological activities. The chemical composition of the MLT-EO was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Piperitenone (25.7%), carvone (22.7%), piperitone (22.8%), pulegone (6.8%), and isomenthone (6.6%) were characterized as the main components. The MLT-EO exhibits antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The MLT-EO exhibited the best MIC value against the test fungi, with <0.625 mg/mL values against Candida parapsilosis strains. The percentage of biofilm inhibition value of the MLT-EO (10 mg/mL) was 59.53%, and the percentage of violacein inhibition values calculated for sub-MICs concentrations of the MLT-EO (1 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL) were 63.68% and 38.08%, respectively. The results show that the high level of piperitenone, carvone, and piperitone detected in the MLT-EO may be responsible for these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunella vulgaris is widely used as the main ingredient of herb tea in Southeast Asia, as well as a traditional Chinese medicine. However, the heavy metal contaminations such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead in P. vulgaris may be a cause for concern due to the environment pollution around, plantation and processing contamination. Thus, this study intented to assess both non-carcinogenic risks and carcinogenic risks attributed to cumulative exposure to the four heavy metals in P. vulgaris. The contaminations levels of heavy metals were determined in 90 batches of P. vulgaris. And the consumption level was obtained through a questionnaire survey among a total of 6,235 adult participants in Guangdong province. This study estimated the probabilistic health risks using Monte Carlo simulation, and found that the estimated mean and the 95th percentile values for cumulative noncarcinogenic risk (HI value) and carcinogenic risk (TCR value) of P. vulgaris were all within the acceptable risk. And the assessment results indicated that arsenic was the primary contributors to both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks through P. vulgaris consumption. These findings and continuing the surveillance of heavy metals in P. vulgaris will be particularly relevant to both consumers and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal tea is considered natural and harmless. With a long history of use, herbal tea acts as a healing remedy in various traditional medicines and has become a popular beverage worldwide. However, detailed lipid nutrient data have not been thoroughly investigated. This study applied lipidomics strategy using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to profile the lipid nutrients in ten types of herbal tea. Comprehensive lipidome analysis of herbal tea led to the identification of 299 lipid molecular species. Multivariate analysis revealed unique lipid compositions among different types of herbal tea. Five major lipid classes were characterized and semi-quantified including fatty acyls, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, and sterols. Fatty acyls are the major lipids with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are abundant in lemon balm, whereas saturated fatty acids (SFA) in lavender. Evaluation of the PUFA to SFA ratio for ten herbal teas showed that lemon balm and blue mallow have the highest values of 1.57 and 1.21 respectively. Furthermore, we uncovered seven isomeric fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) in these herbal teas for the first time using high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry analyses. Hierarchical heatmap analyses revealed an abundance of phytoceramides in blue mallow and lysophospholipids in lemon balms. Triacylglycerols are unchanged in all the herbal teas analyzed. This extensive investigation of the lipid composition of herbal tea will help assess their nutritional benefits and potential uses in the food and health industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal teas are used in South Africa as digestives to lower glycaemia and for other indications. However, the chemical composition of the infusions and their effect on enzymes related to metabolic syndrome is poorly known. The composition of infusions and methanol extracts of B. saligna (Scrophulariaceae), Lippia javanica, L. scaberrima, and Phyla dulcis (Verbenaceae) was assessed and the effect of the infusions and extract was determined towards α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase. The commercial herbal products were extracted separately with MeOH or hot water to obtain the extract/infusion for comparative studies. Total phenolic, total flavonoid and antioxidant capacity were assessed. The fingerprints of the MeOH extracts and infusions were compared by HPLD-DAD. The extract constituents were tentatively identified by HPLC-MS/MS and NMR analyses. From the extracts/infusions, 57 compounds were identified, including iridoids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, flavonoids, and caffeic acid derivatives, among others. The MeOH extracts and infusions showed strong inhibition towards α-glucosidase with IC50 in the range of 0.13–0.84 µg/mL for the phenolic-enriched infusion extract (PEI) and 0.47–0.50 µg/mL for the MeOH extracts, respectively. The P. dulcis PEI showed higher inhibition towards α-glucosidase, and the MeOH extract of L. scaberrima was better than the PEI. At 100 µg/mL, the PEI from the four herbal teas reduces the activity of α-amylase by 23.03–28.61%, with L. javanica as the most active tea. Three of the species are high in phenylpropanoid glycosides, while P. dulcis contains rosmarinic acid. Some 26 compounds were identified in the infusion from B. saligna, 28 from L. scaberrima, and 21 from P. dulcis. Four of them are common in all the teas, namely decaffeoylverbascoside, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and tuberonic acid hexoside. Ten compounds occur in two of the teas and seventeen, fifteen, and eleven compounds were detected only in B. saligna, L. scaberrima, and P. dulcis, respectively. Most of the compounds are reported for the first time from the crude drug infusions. The results give some support for the traditional use of herbal teas as digestives and/or indications for diabetes. The chemical fingerprints set the basis for quality control of the crude drugs, based on the main constituents and differential compounds occurring in the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Inonotus hispidus, commonly referred to as the Sanghuang mushroom, is a species that is consumed as a tea. To date, this is the only species of the same fungus that has been successfully cultivated. Methods: A single-factor test was conducted using Inonotus hispidus MS-5 and MS-9 as test materials. The response surface methodology was adopted to design and optimise the liquid fermentation medium for them. Results: As indicated in the results, the optimum fermentation conditions for MS-5 include 24.09g/L glucose, 7.88g/L yeast extract, 0.99g/L dandelion powder, 1.5g MgSO4, 2g KH2PO4, 0.01g vitamin B1, and 1L deionized water; the optimum fermentation conditions for MS-9 include 24.64g/L glucose, 7.77g/L yeast extract, 0.98g/L dandelion powder, 1.5g MgSO4, 2g KH2PO4, 0.01g vitamin B1, and 1L deionized water. Under such conditions, the mycelial biomass (dry weight) values were able to reach 16.02g/L and 14.91g/L for MS-5 and MS-9, respectively, which were 1.6 and 1.54 times those measured before optimization. Discussion: As revealed in the antioxidant and anticancer experiment, Inonotus hispidus exopolysaccharides has corresponding functional effects at the cellular level. This research optimised the liquid culture formulation of Inonotus hispidus and demonstrated that the function of it as a traditional Sanghuang herbal tea is well-documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main and most commonly known biological function of nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides is usually associated with the fact that they are the building blocks of nucleic acids. However, these compounds also belong to plant secondary metabolites, although in that role they have attracted less attention than the others, e.g., terpenes, phenolics, or alkaloids. The former compounds are also important constituents of the human diet, e.g., as ingredients of tea and herbs, endowing them with specific taste qualities and pharmacological activities. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry seems to be the most important analytical method that permits the identification and determination of nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides, along with the other metabolites. The main goal of this review is to discuss in detail the aspects of mass spectrometric detection of nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides in tea and selected herbs. An important conclusion is that the identification of the compounds of interest should be performed not only on the basis of [M + H]+/[M − H]− ions but should also be confirmed by the respective product ions; however, as discussed in detail in this review, it may sometimes be problematic. It also clear that all difficulties that may be encountered when analyzing plant material are caused by the complexity of the analyzed samples and the need to analyze different classes of compounds, and this review absolutely does not debase any of the mentioned papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents gamma-spectrometric data, elemental composition, and presence of radionuclides in inflorescences of Sambucus nigra L., collected from four different regions of Bulgaria. Radionuclides belonging to two radioactive families were detected: 232Th, 226Ra, 212Pb, 214Pb, 208Tl, 214Bi, 228Ac and 40K, together with the anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs. For all analyzed samples, the highest specific activity was observed for 40K (750-1150 Bq/kg). Radionuclide doses to an adult, who consumed herbal tea made from these medicinal herbs ranged from 2.5 to 469.9 nSv for 137Cs; 0.7 to 9.7 nSv for 238U; 0.3 to 2.8 nSv for 232Th and 7.64 to 11.7 µSv for 40K. A correlation dependence was established between the intensity of the fluorescence maximum at an excitation wavelength of 498 nm and the specific activity of radium, thorium, and potassium. The content of macroelements in inflorescences follows the sequence K > Ca > Mg and coincides with results characteristic of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Syzygium aromaticum and Coffea canephora are acknowledged for their outstanding antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and nerve-stimulant properties, showcasing potential in brain protection. Therefore, this study aims to quantitatively review existing literature and assess the potential of using it to formulate a herbal tea blend for managing stress and anxiety. Methods: Data was retrieved from the Scopus database, and a bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer software. Results: Following a screening process, a total of 121 articles were identified, with S. aromaticum yielding a higher number compared to C. canephora. A detailed exploration of each plant revealed active components such as eugenol, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, caffeine, mangiferin, and chlorogenic acids, each exhibiting stimulatory effects alongside antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The neuroprotective effects were attributed to the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, coupled with the stimulation of neurotransmitters and hormones like dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, and adrenaline. Conclusions: The review showed that these plants positively affect mood and cognition by influencing the brain's pleasure system. This suggests the need for further research to combine these plant extracts for developing 'Tenang tea', a potential herbal blend for managing stress and anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Green rooibos (Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R.Dahlgren) herbal tea is popular due to its health‐promoting properties. Information on its characteristic sensory profile is scarce and sensory tools to define product variation are needed. The storage conditions and time during its shelf‐life are hypothesized to affect the product quality. RESULTS: Production batches from two producers spanning 5 years (n = 57) were analyzed using descriptive sensory analysis. Primary attributes (>30 median intensity; 100% occurrence frequency) included 'hay/dried grass', 'cooked oats', 'tobacco', 'honey' and 'caramel' aromas, and astringent mouthfeel. 'Cooked vegetables', 'green grass', 'stewed fruit', 'rooibos‐woody', 'marmalade' and 'cardboard' aromas, sweet taste and bitter taste were secondary attributes (10–20 median intensity; 100% occurrence frequency). The same flavor attributes were present, except for sweet‐associated and fruity notes. A sensory lexicon and sensory wheels for aroma and palate attributes were constructed from the data. The shelf‐life stability of green rooibos was evaluated in moisture‐impermeable (pouches) and moisture‐permeable (sachets) packaging at 25 and 40 °C at 60% relative humidity over 24 weeks. Green rooibos samples stored in pouches at 4 °C were also evaluated. Storage in sachets led to moisture uptake (~10 g (100 g)−1 dry basis) and an increase in water activity (>0.6), causing degradation of chlorophyll and dihydrochalcones. Changes in color and sensory profile (decreased vegetal, cereal and cardboard aromas and increased sweet‐associated and fruity aromas) were evident and more pronounced at the higher storage temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Storage at ≤25 °C in moisture‐impermeable packaging material is recommended for green rooibos herbal tea. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea is one of the most consumed drinks in the world, second only to water, and is renowned for its wide range of health benefits.This study examined the development of tea blends from blends of Ficus capensis, and Justicias ecunda leaves. Dried leaves of F. capensis and J. Secunda were milled, sieved, and processed into tea using a three-level factorial design. The process was modelled and optimized. The tea was evaluated for physicochemical, phenolic compounds profile, antioxidants, and functional groups using standard procedures. The blood-boosting potentials of the herbal tea blends were investigated through animal experiment and haematological evaluations were carried out on the fed animals. The results gave the optimal extracts blends of 48 g/100 g of F. capensis and 52 g/100 g of J. secunda. Antioxidants showed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazl value of 6464.95 ± 1.97 µmol Trolox equivalents/100 g, ferric reducing power (40.13 ± 0.07 mmol Fe2+/100 g), and metal chelating (57.40 ± 0.62%). Physicochemical property showed total dissolved solids value of 6.51 ± 0.11 mg/g, *L (78.35 ± 0.42), *a (3.14 ± 0.09), and*b (13.57 ± 0.12). Phenolic compounds profile showed the presence of epicatechin (115.63 ± 0.052 mg/100 g), which have been associated with ability to improve healthy-living and lower the risk of some degenerative health issues. The in vivo results showed that developed tea was able to recover up to 95.28% of the packed cell volume, red blood cell (94.78%), and haemoglobin (97.52%), which compared well with the commercial product. The study showed the potential application of F. Capensis and J. Secunda leaves extracts in the formulation of functional beverage. The formulation procedures is scalable and has domestic and industrial applications. The tea blend could serve as a functional food ingredient and beverage to improve human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns the evaluation of the antioxidant activity (AA) of extracts obtained from cistus herbs grown in Albania and Turkey. The extracts were prepared in a Soxhlet apparatus, as well as by the maceration and infusion methods, similar to the home method of preparing herbal teas. AA was determined using the DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and β-carotene methods. It was proven that the AA of extracts depends not only on the extraction technique and AA assessment method but also on the place of plant cultivation. The smallest activity was determined using the β-carotene bleaching method, while the highest values were obtained using the FRAP method. On the other hand, the ABTS method showed a greater activity of the Albanian herb prepared using the Soxhlet technique. In addition, the antioxidant properties of extracts were compared with those of rutin standard solutions, showing that this characteristic component of cistus is not the only one that determines AA of extracts. As a result, the rutin content is not an indicator of the antioxidant properties of extracts. The other polyphenolic compounds, although occurring at lower concentration levels compared to rutin, modify the resultant AA of extracts. These studies confirmed the biological activity of cistus as a valuable source of polyphenolic compounds in the human diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CA is the most abundant bioactive compound found in Vaccinium dunalianum Wight. • A COX-2/1 zebrafish model was set up to illustrate CA's anti-inflammatory effects. • CA's anti-inflammatory mechanism was analyzed with systematic network pharmacology. 6′- O -Caffeoylarbutin (CA) is the most abundant compound found within Vaccinium dunalianum Wight, which is used as a traditional Chinese herbal tea for its effects in lowering uric acid and anti-rheumatoid arthritis. No reports to date, however, have explored the pharmacological impact of CA on inflammatory activity. In this study, the anti-inflammatory targets and molecular mechanisms of CA were evaluated through zebrafish inflammation model, network pharmacology and molecular docking. The results showed that CA was able to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX-2/1) at a dose-dependent fashion in 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated zebrafish. Network pharmacology analyses was employed to derive 156 putative CA-related anti-inflammatory targets, which were subjected to functional enrichment analyses to obtain 511 associated Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 180 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Moreover, 9 core targets (HRAS, SRC, MMP9, HSP90AA, CASP, ANXA5, EGFR, ESR1, and AKT1) associated with the anti-inflammatory effect of CA were further selected and identified based on network topology analyses and molecular docking. Overall, the results of this study suggest that CA exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through a complex mechanism of action, and these findings offer a robust foundation for future in-depth analyses exploring the pharmacological pathways through which CA can prevent rheumatoid arthritis-associated damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple sensor for the quantitation of tryptophan (Trp) has been developed using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with electro-synthesized carbon dots functionalized with glycine (Gly@CDs). The surface functionalization with an amino acid led to the formation of large clusters of nanostructures. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which a Gly@CDs clusters modified GCE is used for the analysis of Trp. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) are the techniques used to study Trp electrochemical behavior in an alkaline solution using such an electrode. A linear concentration range was found for Trp from 5 × 10−6 to 5 × 10−3 mol L−1 with a detection limit (LOD) of 5 × 10−6 mol L−1. The reproducibility and repeatability data were satisfactory in terms of RSD%. Moreover, the stability during the time of the modified electrode was considered, evidencing interesting results. The described sensor was used for the determination of Trp in herbal tea and a dietary supplement, and the results were compared with those obtained with HPLC-ESI-MS in the Selected Ion Recording (SIR) mode as an independent method. The electrochemical sensor presents significant advantages in terms of low cost, portability, ease of handling and not requiring skilled personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rose and rose products are used as raw materials in many sectors including cosmetics, food and medicine. The Rosa damascena Mill. rose genotype, which is intensively cultivated in the Isparta region of Türkiye, is an important export product. The flower of the plant is main source of raw materials for rose oil, herbal teas and cosmetic products due to its high essential oil and polyphenols contents. In this study, Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, Rosa alba L., Rosa alba 'Semiplena' genotypes were grown in Yalova, which is an alternative region in terms of agro-climatic conditions from Isparta and its surroundings where rose oil cultivation is carried out in Türkiye. Within the scope of the study, total phenolic matter, total antioxidant activity (DPPH and CUPRAC) and total flavonoid contents of flowers (whole flowers), rose water and wastewater of the genotypes were determined. It is important to identify alternative rose genotypes to R. damascena in Türkiye and their potential for cultivation under different climatic conditions. The highest phenolic content (4115 mg gallic acid equivalent GAE 100 g-1) and DPPH antioxidant activity (4893 mg trolox equivalent TE 100 g-1) values were obtained in R. damascena genotype at the first harvest period. The highest CUPRAC antioxidant activity (34237 mg TE 100 g-1) values were obtained in R. centifolia genotype at the first harvest period. In the second harvest period, the highest phenolic content, DPPH antioxidant activity and CUPRAC antioxidant activity values were determined in R. centifolia genotype. Antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of dried rose flowers were higher than in rose water and wastewater. Rose petals were found to have the potential to be used as an important antioxidant source, while total phenolic matter and antioxidant activity values were found to be low in rose water and wastewater. The harvest period was found to be major factor in oil rose flowers, which can be an important polyphenol source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnolia kobus belongs to the Magnoliaceae family and the genus Magnolia. The flowers are widely used in herbal tea and dietary supplements. It is effectively used in traditional medicines and its chemical constituents have various biological activities, such as anti-obesity, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperlipidaemic activities. The flower developmental process of M. kobus involves a complex regulatory network and is intensively related to the quality and relative composition of primary and secondary metabolites of the flower. Hence, the identification of metabolic changes during different developmental stages of the flower was important for enhancing organoleptic and nutritional characteristics. To our knowledge, to date, none of the studies has investigated the relationship between metabolic changes (primary and secondary metabolites) during different developmental stages of the M. kobus flower. Results: This study investigated metabolic changes in 47 hydrophilic and 13 lipophilic compounds and biological activities in Magnolia kobus flowers during four developmental stages. Metabolites were identified using HPLC, GC–qMS, and GC–TOFMS. Throughout flower development, metabolite accumulation showed significant differences based on metabolomics approaches. The dynamic changes of 21 differential metabolites occurred between the young and mature stages. Flower buds exhibited high levels of phenylpropanoids and phytosterols. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were most abundant in the buds and decreased from the bud to the old stages. Flower bud extracts showed the most powerful effects in three antioxidant assays and antibacterial effects against 10 pathogenic bacterial strains. Conclusions: These findings emphasise the value of M. kobus flower buds as an edible natural source and provide valuable insight into the metabolic changes that occur in M. kobus flowers during development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, the world has continued to be plagued by type 2 diabetes (T2D). As a lifestyle disease, obese individuals are at higher risk of developing the disease. Medicinal plants have increasingly been utilized as remedial agents for managing metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro anti-hyperglycemic and anti-lipidemic potential of Croton gratissimus herbal tea infusion. The inhibitory activities of C. gratissimus on carbohydrate (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) and lipid (pancreatic lipase) hydrolyzing enzymes were determined, and the mode of inhibition of the carbohydrate digestive enzymes was analyzed and calculated via Lineweaver–Burk plots and Michaelis Menten's equation. Its effect on Advanced Glycation End Product (AGE) formation, glucose adsorption, and yeast glucose utilization were also determined. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the possible phenolic compounds present in the herbal tea infusion, and the compounds were docked with the digestive enzymes. C. gratissimus significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 = 60.56 ± 2.78 μg/mL), α-amylase (IC50 = 35.67 ± 0.07 μg/mL), as well as pancreatic lipase (IC50 = 50.27 ± 1.51 μg/mL) in a dose-dependent (15–240 µg/mL) trend. The infusion also inhibited the non-enzymatic glycation process, adsorbed glucose effectively, and enhanced glucose uptake in yeast cell solutions at increasing concentrations. Molecular docking analysis showed strong binding affinity between HPLC-quantified compounds (quercetin, caffeic acid, gallic acid, and catechin) of C. gratissimus herbal tea and the studied digestive enzymes. Moreover, the herbal tea product did not present cytotoxicity on 3T3-L1 cell lines. Results from this study suggest that C. gratissimus herbal tea could improve glucose homeostasis and support its local usage as a potential anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obesogenic agent. Further in vivo and molecular studies are required to bolster the results from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between tea intake (TI) and sleep disorders (SDs) has been a topic of interest for some time, but there remains a lack of data showing a causal relationship. We aimed to use a two-sample Mendelian randomization study to determine whether there is a causal link between TI and SDs. Methods: We collected data regarding TI, with a focus on green tea intake (GTI), herbal tea intake (HTI), and rooibos tea intake (RTI); and data regarding SDs and insomnia from genome-wide association studies. We analyzed these data using an inverse variance-weighted two-sample Mendelian randomization study, by means of the TwoSampleMR package in R4.2.3 software. Results: We found no genetic causal relationships of TI, GTI, HTI, or RTI with insomnia. The odds ratios (ORs) for these relationships were as follows: TI: OR = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29–1.28; GTI: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.95–1.14; HTI: OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.82–1.17; and RTI: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.99–1.09. In addition, there were no genetic causal relationships of TI, GTI, HTI, or RTI with SDs. The OR values for these relationships were as follows: TI: OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.34–1.06; GTI: OR = 1, 95% CI: 0.93–1.07; HTI: OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.66–1.2; and RTI: OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.98–1.06. Conclusion: We found no causal relationships of TI with SDs or insomnia, irrespective of the type of tea consumed. However, additional Mendelian randomization studies are required to further explore the relationships of the timing and quantity of tea consumption with SDs and insomnia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of coaxial percutaneous Iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation in combination with arterial infusion chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) through a randomized controlled trial. A total of 101 patients with advanced PC were randomized into two groups: control group treated with systemic intravenous chemotherapy and experimental group that received 125I seed implantation in combination with arterial infusion chemotherapy. Outcomes, including tumor control, abdominal pain relief, and survival time were compared between these two groups (Trial Registration No. KYKT2018-65). Pretreatment abdominal pain scores were comparable between the two groups, whereas the abdominal pain scores at 1- and 3-month post-treatment were significantly lower in the control group than those in the experimental group (1-month: 3.74 ± 1.54 vs. 4.48 ± 1.46, p =.015; 3-month: 3.64 ± 2.21 vs. 5.40 ± 1.56, p <.001). At 3-month post-treatment, computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a significantly higher disease control rate in the experimental group than that in the control group (94.0% vs. 74.5%, p =.007). The median survival time in the experimental group was significantly longer than that in the control group (15-month vs. 9-month, p <.001). The combination of coaxial percutaneous 125I seed implantation with arterial infusion chemotherapy could significantly alleviate abdominal pain, improve tumor control rates, and prolong survival time in patients with advanced PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Green tea, mulberry leaf and corn silk are traditional herbs used in the prevention and treatment of diabetes in China for a long time, but their synergistic hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: The effective components of green tea, mulberry leaf and corn silk were extracted and enriched. Mixture design of experiments was used to study the influences of different combinations on the cell viability and glucose uptake level of L6 myoblasts, so as to determine the optimal synergistic hypoglycemic combination. The possible hypoglycemic mechanism of the optimal synergistic combination was explored by cytotoxicity assay, glucose uptake assay, and western blot. Results: Three polyphenol enrichment fractions of the herbs, 30% ethanol elution fraction of green tea (GT), 50% ethanol elution fraction of mulberry leaf (ML) and 60% ethanol elution fraction of corn silk (CS) were obtained. The antioxidant activities of GT-30%, ML-50% and CS-60% were superior to those of crude extracts, and showed strong potential in a-amylase and a-glucosidase inhibition activities. The optimal synergistic combination of crude extracts G7 (crude extract of green tea:crude extract of mulberry leaf:crude extract of corn silk = 1:5:3), polyphenol enrichment fractions R3 (GT-30%:ML-50%:CS-60% = 1:7:1) and monomers X2 (epigallocatechin gallate:morusin:formononetin = 3:1:2) were selected, respectively. G7, R3, and X2 showed promoting effects on the cell viability and glucose uptake of L6 myoblasts within the detected concentration range. In addition, G7, R3, and X2 could increase the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in L6 myoblasts, and promote the translocation of Glut4, but G7 and R3 showed more significant effects. Conclusion: The synergistic hypoglycemic effects of green tea, mulberry leaf and corn silk had the characteristics of multiple-components and multiple-targets with p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and the translocation of Glut4 signal pathways involved. The three traditional herbs might have the potential to be combined used for the prevention and treatment of diabetes based on the synergistic hypoglycemic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Using anaesthetics is an important application in aquaculture especially where the fish transportation, vaccination, grading, sorting activities and many other handling operations have been conducted during the different stages of production periods in the farms or hatcheries. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oregano essential oil (OO) as an anaesthetic for Nile tilapia and to determine the optimal concentration and post‐application stress effects compared to clove oil (CO). Methods: Nile tilapia juveniles were exposed to different concentrations of OO (20–40–60–80–100 mg L−1) and CO (50 mg L−1) for different time periods to determine the optimal concentration and exposure time. After the effective concentration of OO was determined, in the second experiment, stress parameters (glucose, plasma cortisol) were analysed after 0, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h of application. The results compared to the control group and CO results. Results: The study found that OO which has carvacrol compound higher than 78% was an efficient anaesthetic for Nile tilapia, and the effective concentration was found to be 60 mg L−1. No significant differences were found between opercular beats in any concentration of OO and CO. Basal glucose level in blood without anaesthesia application and recorded at 39.33 mg dL−1 and significantly lower than OO and CO at first two sampling points, 0 and 2 h (p < 0.05). According to plasma cortisol level results, although CO experimental group showed secondary stress response at 12 h (17.91 ± 4.21 ng mL−1), OO and CO group cortisol levels decreased at 24 h after anaesthesia application 7.13 ± 0.14and 7.01 ± 0.54 ng mL−1, respectively, below the control group cortisol concentration (12.28 ± 1.81 ng mL−1). Conclusions: These findings have important implications for the aquaculture industry as the use of OO as an anaesthetic could reduce the stress and mortality associated with traditional anaesthetics. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of OO as an anaesthetic agent for other fish species and to determine the optimal concentration and exposure time for different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer widely used in our living environment to manufacture many chemical products. Mammalian cells are exposed to it at high levels, which has toxic and estrogenic consequences. Moreover, BPA exposure during prenatal and neonatal development results in defects in the male and female reproductive systems, abnormal meiotic development in fetal oocytes, and pregnancy complications. The aim of the current study was to study the adverse effects of the oral administration of BPA on the liver and testis of adult male rats with the protective roles of herbal teas. A comparative study was conducted on 40 adult male Wistar rats (six weeks old, weighing 100-120 g). Groups were coded as RT/BPA, GT/BPA, and BT/BPA, for red, green, and blue herbal teas, respectively. Several evaluations such as weights, hepatic enzyme markers, lipid profile, and oxidative nitrosative stress for the liver and testis were conducted. Results indicated that exposure to BPA significantly increased oxidative nitrosative stress and damaged the hepatic tissue on the liver and testis. The ALT GT/BPA group detected the highest values for AST (61.87 mU/mL), ALP (2.48 mU/mL), LDH (1153.11 U/L), and GGT (49.72 U/L); RT/BPA group detected the lowest values for AST (58.71 mU/mL), ALP (1.51 mU/mL), and GGT (21.12 U/L). Similarly, the RT/BPA and BT/BPA groups were detected (4.11 and 4.12 mg/100 mL) for creatinine levels as compared to the vehicle control group. While rats in the BT/BPA and GT/BPA groups showed similar values to the vehicle group (45.02 and 118.28 mg/dI) for HDL and TC quantities, respectively. The present research established the protective role of herbal teas due to the antioxidant properties, especially of green tea, which preserved GPx value (88.22 nmol/mg), testosterone (1.80 ng/mL); and red tea, which preserved CAT value (101.18 U/mg); while blue tea preserved MDA and SOD values (0.81 nmol/mg and 7.18 U/mg), respectively. BPA oral administration with herbal teas reduced toxicity on the liver and testis due to free radical scavenging effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, teas and herbal infusions represent an important part of the human diet. Most contain phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity, usually associated with human health protective functions. This attribute defines teas and infusions as nutraceutical foods. In Argentina, several native species are traditionally used for medical purposes. Some of those species are Larrea cuneifolia, Larrea nitida, Grindelia chiloensis, Pteromonnina dictyocarpa, Mandevilla laxa, and Monttea aphylla. The objectives of this study were to analyze the antioxidant power and the scavenging capacity of infusions obtained from those six medicinal plants, to characterize the phenolic profile, and to study in vitro their safety or cytotoxicity. Additionally, the potential use of two infusions as antioxidant additives in a food model was evaluated. The results indicated that the analyzed plant species are rich in phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acid), and flavonoids (e.g., quercetin and kaempferol), with high antioxidant power. The infusion blend obtained with G. chiloensis and L. cuneifolia exhibited the highest value of antioxidant capacity measured with the FRAP technique (193.4 μg EAA/mg DW). On the other hand, L. cuneifolia infusion showed the greatest antioxidant capacity determined by FRAP (131.9 ± 5.2 μg EAA/mg DW) and DPPH assays (0.453 mL/mg s). Additionally, L. cuneifolia infusion showed the highest phenolic content (232.8 μg GAE/mg DW) and flavonoid content (153.3 μg QE/mg DW). None of the infusions showed toxicity in mammalian cells, except for G. chiloensis. Furthermore, the L. cuneifolia and L. nitida infusions showed a high inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation in ground beef (55% and 51% at 4 days of storage, respectively). The results suggest that the studied infusions are safe and a rich source of antioxidants, which supports their use in traditional medicine. However, further exhaustive studies of G. chiloensis infusion are needed to ensure its safety, as it has shown cytotoxicity. Besides, it is worthwhile to advance the study of L. cuneifolia and L. nitida as sources of dietary antioxidants, due to their high antioxidant power and ability to protect against lipid peroxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Herbal teas are blends of leaves, seeds, fruits, and flowers from various plants that provide relaxation, anti-inflammatory benefits, and immune system support for conditions such as diabetes and asthma. Despite their health benefits, comprehensive lipidomic data on herbal teas are limited in the literature. We used non-targeted liquid chromatography–linear ion trap orbitrap mass spectrometry to identify and correlate the lipid species in the following six herbal tea samples: fennel, ginger, juniper, lemon peel, orange peel, and rosehip. A total of 204 lipid molecular species were identified, and multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference between lipid species in herbal teas. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are significantly abundant in juniper, including ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids, followed by fennel. Cluster correlations showed that ginger contained mainly sphingolipids and lysophospholipids, whereas fennel was rich in phospholipids. No significant variations in the content of triacylglycerols were observed in any of the herbal teas analyzed. The ratio of PUFAs to SFAs in herbal teas showed that orange peel had the highest ratio, followed by lemon peel and fennel, indicating their potential health benefits. In addition, using high-resolution mass spectrometry, various lipids such as fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids and N-acyl-lysophosphatidylethanolamines were identified and characterized in these herbal teas. This study provides a comprehensive lipid analysis and detailed characterization of lipids in six herbal teas, highlighting their plausible applications in the field of nutrition and various food industries for the development of functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chamomile has become one of the world's most popular herbal teas due to its unique properties. Chamomile is widely used in dietary supplements, cosmetics, and herbal products. This study aimed to investigate the volatile aromatic components in chamomile. Two analytical techniques, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and an ultra-fast gas chromatography electronic nose, were employed to examine samples from Xinjiang (XJ), Shandong (SD), and Hebei (HB) in China, and imported samples from Germany (GER). The results revealed that all chamomile samples contained specific sesquiterpene compounds, including α-bisabolol, bisabolol oxide, bisabolone oxide, and chamazulene. Additionally, forty potential aroma components were identified by the electronic nose. The primary odor components of chamomile were characterized by fruity and spicy notes. The primary differences in the components of chamomile oil were identified as (E)-β-farnesene, chamazulene, α-bisabolol oxide B, spathulenol and α-bisabolone oxide A. Significant differences in aroma compounds included geosmin, butanoic acid, 2-butene, norfuraneol, γ-terpinene. This study demonstrates that GC–MS and the ultra-fast gas chromatography electronic nose can preliminarily distinguish chamomile from different areas, providing a method and guidance for the selection of origin and sensory evaluation of chamomile. The current study is limited by the sample size and it provides preliminary conclusions. Future studies with a larger sample size are warranted to further improve these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daily consumption of various teas is a popular tradition in many countries especially in Turkey and although it shouldn’t be in tea, carbonate can be added to obtain more brew from teas especially in local coffeehouses. In this study, the effect of carbonate addition on the essential element concentrations of some black teas (black, earl grey and green tea), herbal teas (fennel, mint and sage tea) and fruit teas (apple, lemon and rosehip) is analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), after the infusion process of tea brewing with carbonate. Afterwards, the total element contents of the tea grains in are determined by again ICP-OES prior to microwave digestion process. Considering the data obtained from the experiments, carbonate addition increased or decreased some elements with respect to the tea types. According to the results obtained after the microwave digestion method, although the major elements in all types of teas are found as Ca, K, P, Mg and Mn, which do not reach 2% brewing from the tea grains, carbonated infusion is not recommended due to its increasing effect on the concentration of the major elements contained in teas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 induction by drugs and pesticides plays a critical role in the enhancement of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxicity as it leads to increased formation of hepatotoxic dehydro-PA metabolites. Addressing the need for a quantitative analysis of this interaction, we developed a physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model. Specifically, the model describes the impact of the well-characterized CYP3A4 inducer rifampicin on the kinetics of retrorsine, which is a prototypic PA and contaminant in herbal teas. Based on consumption data, the kinetics after daily intake of retrorsine were simulated with concomitant rifampicin treatment. Strongest impact on retrorsine kinetics (plasma AUC 24 and C max reduced to 67% and 74% compared to the rifampicin-free reference) was predicted directly after withdrawal of rifampicin. At this time point, the competitive inhibitory effect of rifampicin stopped, while CYP3A4 induction was still near its maximum. Due to the impacted metabolism kinetics, the cumulative formation of intestinal retrorsine CYP3A4 metabolites increased to 254% (from 10 to 25 nmol), while the cumulative formation of hepatic CYP3A4 metabolites was not affected (57 nmol). Return to baseline PA toxicokinetics was predicted 14 days after stop of a 14-day rifampicin treatment. In conclusion, the PBTK model showed to be a promising tool to assess the dynamic interplay of enzyme induction and toxification pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the anti-inflammatory activity between Etoricoxib (ETO) and Matcha green tea (MG) in the context of acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by ionizing gamma radiation (IR) in female rats. Furthermore, the potential impact of whole body IR exposure on the intestinal system and serum estradiol levels was investigated. Additionally, it was acknowledged that the ETO and MG treatments might have exerted favorable effects on the intestinal and hormonal responses. Six groups of rats were assigned to different treatments: control, ETO, MG, irradiation (IRR), ETO + IRR, and MG + IRR. The evaluation included measuring the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of ETO and MG, as well as assessing their antioxidant activity, radical scavenging capacity, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity. Kidney function was assessed through serum creatinine and urea levels. Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and catalase, were measured to evaluate the antioxidant effects of ETO and MG. The anti-inflammatory potential of the treatments was evaluated by measuring STAT-3 and interleukins (IL-6, IL-23, and IL-17) using an ELISA assay. Prostaglandin E2 receptor (PGE-2) mRNA expression, histopathological examination, and immunohistochemistry for NF-κB inhibitors were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms in kidney tissue homogenates. Histopathological changes and DNA fragmentation in the intestinal tissues were determined, and the characterization of Matcha green tea was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This allowed for the identification and quantification of various compounds present in Matcha green tea. Furthermore, the study assessed the effect of IR and treatments on estrogen levels in female rats. Data showed that both ETO and MG had the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of AKI induced by IR. Notably, MG exhibited greater efficacy in attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation associated with renal injury. These findings revealed and compared the effects of ETO and MG in alleviating AKI caused by IR. MG demonstrated greater anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent. These results contribute to the growing evidence supporting the use of MG in managing IR-induced renal complications. Future studies should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms and optimizing the application of MG in clinical settings. This study is of significant importance as it compares the therapeutic potential of ETO and MG in mitigating AKI and intestinal damage induced by IR. The findings reveal that MG exhibits greater anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties compared to ETO. These results provide valuable insights into the potential use of MG as a natural therapeutic agent for managing IR-induced renal and intestinal complications. As radiation therapy is commonly used in cancer treatment, identifying effective agents to protect the kidneys from radiation damage is crucial. The study contributes to the growing evidence supporting the application of MG in clinical settings, offering a promising alternative approach with potential benefits in terms of reduced side effects and improved patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aromatic, flavorful, and fragrant qualities of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) make it a valuable herb for culinary and medical uses. This study investigated the sensory quality of C. citratus and its richness in chemical compounds. The sensory tests were realized on the infusion of the plant and compared to 4 Teas among a group of participants. Further, total polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin contents, and antioxidant activity were evaluated in the infusions of tested products. The primary metabolites in the dry matter of the plant were also measured. Before beginning, each participant was required to read and fill out an informed permission form by the national legislation and the Declaration of Helsinki's Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. Participants were aged between 20 and 60 years old with dominance of 20-39 years old (80%). Moreover, 60% of participants were women compared to 40% of men. Half the participants drink aromatized tea, mainly menthe. The infusion of C. citratus had the highest rating, calculated at 9.33±0.62 compared to the other aromas. The infusion of C. citratus was distinguished by its strong flavour and order, as well as its pleasant aroma, flavor, and aftertaste. The values of TPC, TFC, and tannin were 0.463 mg eq Q/g dry matter, 0.033 mg eq Q/g dry matter, and 21.96 mg eq AT /g dry matter, respectively. The antioxidant activity was 98.07%. The total sugar was the most dominant in the infusion of the plant with 0.376 g per g of dry matter of C. citratus, followed by lipids with 0.106 g per g of dry matter. This study presents new data on the nutritional value of C. citratus in Morocco and is suggested to be a reference for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]