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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The use of "Mexican calea" (Calea zacatechichi Schltdl.) in ritualistic ceremonies, due to its dream-inducing effects, was until recently limited to indigenous communities in Mexico. However, the plant has recently gained popularity in Western societies being commonly used in recreational settings. Despite the traditional and recreational uses, mechanisms underlying its reported oneirogenic effects remain unknown, with no data available on its neurotoxic profile., Aim of the Study: The scarcity of toxicological data and the unknown role of major neurotransmitter systems in the dream-inducing properties of the plant prompted us to investigate which neurotransmitters might be affected upon its consumption, as well as the potential cytotoxic effects on neurons and microglial cells. Furthermore, we aimed to explore a relationship between the recorded effects and specific constituents., Materials and Methods: Effects on cholinergic and monoaminergic pathways were investigated using enzymatic assays, with the latter also being conducted in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells along with the impact on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Investigation of the neurotoxic profile was approached in neuronal SH-SY5Y and microglial BV-2 cells, evaluating effects on metabolic performance and membrane integrity using MTT and LDH leakage assays, respectively. Potential interference with oxidative stress was monitored by assessing free radical's levels, as well as 5-lipoxygenase mediated lipid peroxidation. Phenolic constituents were identified through HPLC-DAD-ESI(Ion Trap)MS n analysis., Results: Based on the significant inhibition upon acetylcholinesterase (p < 0.05) and tyrosinase (IC 50  = 60.87 ± 7.3 μg/mL; p < 0.05), the aqueous extract obtained from the aerial parts of C. zacatechichi interferes with the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, but has no impact against monoamine oxidase A. Additionally, a notable cytotoxic effect was observed in SH-SY5Y and BV-2 cells at concentrations as low as 125 and 500 μg/mL (p < 0.05), respectively, LDH leakage suggesting apoptosis may occur at these concentrations, with necroptosis observed at higher ones. Despite the neurocytotoxic profile, these effects appear to be independent of radical stress, as the C. zacatechichi extract scavenged nitric oxide and superoxide radicals at concentrations as low as 62.5 μg/mL, significantly inhibiting also 5-lipoxygenase (IC 50  = 72.60 ± 7.3 μg/mL; p < 0.05). Qualitative and quantitative analysis using HPLC-DAD-ESI(Ion Trap)MS n enabled the identification of 28 constituents, with 24 of them being previously unreported in this species. These include a series of dicaffeoylquinic, caffeoylpentoside, and feruloylquinic acids, along with 8 flavonols not previously known to occur in the species, mainly 3-O-monoglycosylated derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin., Conclusions: Our findings regarding the neuroglial toxicity elicited by C. zacatechichi emphasize the necessity for a thorough elucidation of the plant's toxicity profile. Additionally, evidence is provided that the aerial parts of the plant inhibit both acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase, potentially linking its psychopharmacological effects to the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, with an apparent contribution from specific phenolic constituents previously unknown to occur in the species. Collectively, our results lay the groundwork for a regulatory framework on the consumption of C. zacatechichi in recreational settings and contribute to elucidating previous contradictory findings regarding the mechanisms underlying the dream-inducing effects of the plant., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Juices are currently a fast-growing segment in the fruit and vegetable industry sector. However, there are still no reports on the diversity of the phytochemical profile and health-promoting properties of commercial sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) juices. This study aimed to identify and quantify phytoprostanes, phytofurans by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), tocopherols, tocotrienols by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a fluorescence detector (UPLC-FL), carotenoids, and free amino acids by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode detector-quadrupole and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS), and assess their anti-cholinergic, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potential by in vitro assays of commercial sea buckthorn juices., Results: Phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs) in sea buckthorn juices were identified for the first time. Juices contained eight F 1 -, D 1 -, B 1 - and L 1 -phytoprostanes and one phytofuran (32.31-1523.51 ng and up to 101.47 μg/100 g dry weight (DW)), four tocopherol congeners (22.23-94.08 mg 100 g -1 DW) and three tocotrienols (5.93-25.34 mg 100 g -1 DW). Eighteen carotenoids were identified, including ten xanthophylls, seven carotenes and phytofluene, at a concentration of 133.65 to 839.89 mg 100 g -1 DW. Among the 20 amino acids (175.92-1822.60 mg 100 g -1 DW), asparagine was dominant, and essential and conditionally essential amino acids constituted 11 to 41% of the total. The anti-enzyme and antioxidant potential of juices correlated selectively with the composition., Conclusion: Sea buckthorn juice can be a valuable dietary source of vitamins E and A, oxylipins and amino acids, used in the prevention of metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and neurodegenerative processes. The differentiation of the composition and the bioactive potential of commercial juices indicate that, for the consumer, it should be important to choose juices from the declared berry cultivars and crops. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: According to ethnobotanical surveys, Cassia sieberiana DC. (1825) is a particularly reputed species in African folk Medicine, namely due to the application of its leaves and roots for the treatment of diseases and symptomatology that appear to be related with an inflammatory background. In contrast with the roots of the plant, the leaves remain to be investigated, which prompted us to further detail mechanisms underlying their anti-inflammatory properties, by using in vitro models of disease., Aim of the Study: Considering its use in the amelioration and treatment of conditions that frequently underlie an inflammatory response, C. sieberiana leaves extract was prioritized amongst a collection of extracts obtained from plants collected in Guinea-Bissau. As such, this work aims to deliver experimental data on the anti-inflammatory properties of C. sieberiana leaf and to establish possible associations with its chemical composition, thus providing a rationale on its use in folk Medicine., Materials and Methods: The chemical profile of an hydroethanol extract obtained from the leaves of the plant was established by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n in order to identify bioactives. The extract and its main compound were tested towards a series of inflammatory mediators, both in enzymatic and cell-based models. The capacity to interfere with the eicosanoid-metabolizing enzymes 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and -2 (COX-2) was evaluated in cell-free systems, while the effects in interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels produced by THP-1 derived macrophages were assessed through ELISA., Results: HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n analysis of the extract elucidated a chemical profile qualitatively characterized by a series of anthraquinones, particularly rhein derivatives, and nine flavonols, most of which 3-O-glycosylated. Considering the concentrations of the identified compounds, quercetin was detached as the main component. Effects of the hydroethanol extract obtained from C. sieberiana leaves against key enzymes of the arachidonic acid cascade were recorded, namely a concentration-dependent inhibition against 5-LOX, at concentrations ranging from 16 to 250 μg mL -1 and a selective inhibitory action upon COX-2 (IC 50  = 3.58 μg mL -1 ) in comparison with the isoform COX-1 (IC 50  = 9.10 μg mL -1 ). Impact on inflammatory cytokines was also noted, C. sieberiana leaf extract significantly decreasing IL-6 levels in THP-1 derived macrophages at 250 and 500 μg mL -1 . In contrast, TNF-α levels were found to be increased in the same model. Quercetin appears to partially account for the observed effects, namely due to the significant inhibitory effects on the activity of the arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes COX-2 and 5-LOX., Conclusions: The anti-inflammatory effects herein reported provide a rationale for the use of C. sieberiana leaves in African folk practices, such as in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and body aches. Considering the occurrence of flavonoidic and anthraquinonic constituents, as well as the observed anti-inflammatory properties of quercetin, recorded effects must be related with the presence of several bioactives., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Even though traditionally date-fruit has been featured by a marginal use, mainly restricted to its dietary intake, in recent years, it has raised the range of applications for this agro-food production. These new uses have entailed an enlarged production of date fruits and, simultaneously, of date palm byproducts. Encouraged by the traditional medicinal uses of dates, according to their phytochemical composition, the present work was focused on the evaluation of a new family of secondary metabolites, the plant oxylipins phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs), in six separate matrixes of the date palm edible parts and byproducts, applying an UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS-based methodology. The evaluation for the first time of date palm edible parts and byproducts as a dietary source of PhytoPs and PhytoFs provides evidence on the value of six different parts (pulp, skin, pits, leaves, clusters, and pollen) regarding their content in these plant oxylipins evidenced by the presence of the PhytoPs, 9-F 1t -PhytoP (201.3-7223.1 ng/100 g dw) and 9- epi -9-F 1t -PhytoP (209.7-7297.4 ng/100 g dw), and the PhytoFs ent -16( RS )-9- epi -ST-Δ 14 -10-PhytoF (4.6-191.0 ng/100g dw), and ent -16( RS )-13-epi-ST-Δ 14 -9-PhytoF as the most abundant compounds. Regarding the diverse matrixes assessed, pollen, clusters, and leaves for PhytoPs and skins and pollen for PhytoFs were identified as the most interesting sources of these compounds. In this concern, the information obtained upon the detailed characterization performed in the present work will allow unravelling the biological interest of PhytoPs and PhytoFs and the extent to which these compounds could exert valuable biological activities upon in vitro (mechanistic) and in vivo studies, allocating the effort-focus on the chemical species of PhytoPs and PhytoFs responsible for such traits.

Pistachio ( Pistacia vera L.) is a drought-tolerant species grown under the semiarid conditions of the Mediterranean basin. For this reason, it is essential to make an exhaustive quantification of yield and quality benefits of the kernels because the regulated deficit irrigation will allow significant water savings with a minimum impact on yield while improving kernel quality. The goal of this scientific work was to study the influence of the rootstock, water deficit during pit hardening, and kernel roasting on pistachio ( P. vera , cv. Kerman) fruit yield, fruit size, and kernel content of fatty acids phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs) for the first time. Water stress during pit hardening did not affect the pistachio yield. The kernel cultivar showed a lower oleic acid and a higher linoleic acid contents than other cultivars. Kernels from plants grafted on the studied rootstocks showed very interesting characteristics. P. integerrima led to the highest percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids. Regarding the plant oxylipins, P. terebinthus led to the highest contents of PhytoPs and PhytoFs (1260 ng/100 g and 16.2 ng/100 g, respectively). In addition, nuts from trees cultivated under intermediate water deficit during pit hardening showed increased contents of the 9-series F 1 -phytoprostanes and ent -16( RS )-9- epi -ST-Δ 14 -10-phytofuran. However, roasting of pistachios led to PhytoP degradation. Therefore, plant cultivar, deficit irrigation, rootstock, and roasting must be considered to enhance biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites. New tools using agricultural strategies to produce hydroSOS pistachios have been opened thanks to the biological properties of these prostaglandin-like compounds linking agriculture, nutrition, and food science technology for further research initiatives.

Background: In Colombia, agro-industrial residues represent an enormous economic and environmental problem, which could be reduced if different techniques for the addition of value to such residues were implemented by this industrial sector. One of the fruits with the highest export rates is Physalis peruviana (goldenberry); however, this fruit is generally marketed without its calyx, generating a large amount of residues. To develop a strategy to add value to these residues, it is essential to know their chemical composition., Results: In the present work, phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) - new active oxylipins - have been detected for the first time in Physalis peruviana calyces by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), F 1t -phytoprostanes and D 1t -phytoprostanes being the predominant and minor classes, respectively. In addition, we were able to characterize the phenolic compounds profile of this matrix using LC-IT-DAD-MS/MS, describing six phenolic derivatives for the first time therein., Conclusions: This study increases our knowledge of the chemical composition of the calyces of this fruit and thereby supports the recycling of this class of residue. Consequently, goldenberry calyces could be used as phytotherapeutic, nutraceutic, or cosmetic ingredients for the development of diverse natural products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The bark of Trichilia catigua A. Juss. (Meliaceae), popularly known as "big catuaba", is traditionally used in Brazilian folk medicine for its neuroactive potential as memory stimulant, and antinociceptive and antidepressant effects., Aim of the Study: To study the aqueous extract of T. catigua bark as dual inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). To explore its antioxidant potential through interaction with xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) pathway, and to attempt a relationship between its phenolic profile and effects displayed., Materials and Methods: Phenolic profiling was achieved by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n and UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analyses. The capacity to inhibit hMAO-A was assessed in vitro, as was that for AChE, evaluated in rat brain homogenates. The direct inhibition of the X/XO pathway and the scavenging of superoxide anion radical were the selected in vitro models to explore the antioxidant potential. The cytotoxic effects were assayed in the human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells by MTT reduction, after direct exposure (24h)., Results: Twenty-six compounds were identified and quantified (551.02 ± 37.61mg/g of lyophilized extract). The phenylpropanoid substituted flavan-3-ols were the most representative compounds (~81% of quantified mass). The extract inhibited hMAO activity in a concentration-dependent manner (IC 50 = 121.06 ± 2.13μg/mL). A mixed model of inhibition of AChE activity was observed, reflected by the pronounced increase of Km values and a more discreet effect over the Vmax parameters, calculated from Michaelis-Menten fitted equations. In addition, it was demonstrated that the extract directly inhibits the X/XO pathway (IC 50 = 121.06 ± 2.13μg/mL) and also imbalances the oxidative stress acting as superoxide anion radical scavenger (EC 50 = 104.42 ± 10.67μg/mL), an oxidative by-product of this reaction. All these neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects were displayed within the non-toxic range of concentrations (0.063-0.500μg/mL) in SH-SY5Y cells., Conclusions: Our results validate the traditional use of T. catigua bark for its neuroactive and neuroprotective potential. A novel approach upon its application towards the management of neurodegenerative and related symptomatology was likewise demonstrated., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Fruits and vegetables are an important source of dietary antioxidants and epidemiological studies show that their regular intake in the diet may decrease the risk of several chronic diseases. Phoenix dactylifera L. (date palm or dates) is an important crop, widely used in the Arabian region and in other parts of the world as a food and also in folk medicine, due to its health-promoting properties. Antioxidant phytochemicals present in plant foods are partly responsible for such health benefits. The antioxidants present in dates are mainly phenolics, like flavonoids and phenolic acids. The fruits of dates have been widely studied with regard to their phenolic composition. However, few studies are available in the bibliography regarding other, non-edible parts of the date palm tree. In this context, in the present work the phenolic components of different parts of P. dactylifera (cv. Medjool or Mejhool) - namely, fruit pulp and skin, fronds (leaves), clusters, and pollen - have been investigated using HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n in the negative ionization mode. The overall analysis of the phenolic compounds revealed that there was a qualitative similarity among the different dates parts analyzed. The method used provided tentative identification of 52 compounds: mainly flavonoid glycosides of quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, chrysoeriol, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, 3-methyl-isorhamnetin, sulfates, and malonyl derivatives. In the present work, more than 30 phenolic derivatives are described for the first time in dates. To the best of our knowledge, kaempferol glycosides and malonyl derivatives have not been described previously in P. dactylifera. The results highlight the importance of P. dactylifera L. as a promising source of functional ingredients and boost its potential use in the food and nutraceutical industries. The MS data, MS n fragmentation pattern, and UV information obtained have been of great help in the interpretation of the compounds detected and in their structural identification., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

One of the most promising approaches to confront the complexity of central nervous system disorders are new multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs). Five medicinal species (Cereus grandiflorus (L.) Mill., Hyssopus officinalis L., Acorus calamus L., Silybum marianum L. Gaertn. and Turnera diffusa Willd. Ex Schult), selected for their ethnopharmacological relevance, were object for in vitro screening. The aqueous extract of T. diffusa revealed the strongest neuroactive potential, inhibiting monoamine oxidase-A (IC 50  = 129.80 ± 11.97 μg/mL), and acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (IC 25  = 0.352 ± 0.011 and 0.370 ± 0.036 mg/mL, respectively). Its phenolic profile was established for the first time by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n . Twenty-six out of thirty-seven compounds were newly identified in this species. The pre-treatment with this flavonoid-rich extract promoted a rightward shift of the glutamate concentration neuronal cell (SH-SY5Y) death response curve. Furthermore, it significantly reduced the early phase formation of intracellular reactive species after glutamate and t-BHP exposure, suggesting that neuroprotection in SH-SY5Y cells was, in part, mediated by antioxidant mechanisms., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Sulforaphane (SFN) is the product of the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucoraphanin (GR), the main glucosinolate present in broccoli sprouts. The beneficial actions attributed to SFN are mainly supported by in dietary study not clear. Surely the panellists ate more than just the broccoli portion - please clarify vitro experiments; further in vivo assays are necessary to analyse the described biological actions in humans. A new ultra-fast, accurate, robust, and selective UHPLC/MS/MS procedure (2-min chromatogram; >87% recovery; LOQ and LOD of 20-156 and 4-20nmol L(-1), respectively; and intra- and inter-day variations lower than 10%) was used for the simultaneous determination of GR and SFN in human urine. The analytical capacity of this novel method was further tested by determining the bioavailability of GR and its metabolic derivatives in urine from volunteers after the consumption of ½ and 1 servings of broccoli sprouts (30 and 60g, respectively). Bioavailability values for SFN of up to 40% after a single intake of both ½ and 1 servings showed the suitability of the new method for the determination of exogenous metabolites following dietary interventions., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)