Browsing by Author "Cziáky, Zoltán"
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- Antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibition, photoprotection, cytotoxicity, and phytochemical profiling of sea lavender (Limonium algarvense Erben) seed extracts for dermo-cosmetic usePublication . Lescano, Leonardo; Cziáky, Zoltán; Kurt-Celep, İnci; Zengin, Gökhan; Fernandes, Eliana; Trentin, Riccardo; Guerreiro Pereira, Catarina Alexandra; Custódio, Luísa; Rodrigues, Maria JoãoDespite sea lavender being a medicinal species, research on its seeds' biological properties and chemical composition is unexplored. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of different extraction solvents on the biological activities and chemical profile of greenhouse-cultivated sea lavender seeds, aiming at their potential use as a dermo-cosmetic ingredient. Therefore, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, and water extracts were examined for their antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibition, photoprotection, and cytotoxicity, followed by phytochemical analysis through spectrophotometric methods, further detailed by Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Electrospray Ionization Mass/Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Esi-MS/MS).ResultsThe water extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, evidenced by low half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values in scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2 '-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, reducing iron and chelating copper (296, 478, 230 and 678 mu g/mL, respectively). The ethanol extract was more effective in inhibiting cosmetic-related enzymes, particularly elastase and hyaluronidase (2.18 and 3.21 mu g/mL, respectively). The water and acetone extracts had the highest sun protection factors (23.2 and 18.9, respectively). All the extracts had nil to weak cytotoxicity (70-120% cell viability) towards mammalian cell lines. The water extract had the highest phenolics and condensed tannins (115 and 78.30 mg/g extract, respectively), while the ethanol contained the most flavonoids (62.73 mg/g extract). UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis identified ethyl gallate, myricetin, rutin, and quercetin as major components of the ethanol extract, whereas myricetin-O-rutinoside isomers are predominant in the water extract.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the potential of greenhouse-cultivated sea lavender seeds as potential dermo-cosmetic ingredients, with ethanol and water extracts demonstrating superior biological activities and chemical profiles, significantly contributing to general skin health and protection.
- Characterising the metabolomic diversity and biological potentials of extracts from different parts of two cistus species using UHPLC-MS/MS and In vitro techniquesPublication . Ahmed, Shakeel; Zengin, Gokhan; Selvi, Selami; Ak, Gunes; Cziáky, Zoltán; Jekő, József; Rodrigues, Maria João; Custódio, Luísa; Venanzoni, Roberto; Flores, Giancarlo Angeles; Cusumano, Gaia; Angelini, PaolaThis study investigates the biochemical composition and biological properties of different parts (leaves, roots, and twigs) of two Cistus species (Cistus monspeliasis and Cistus parviflorus). The extracts were analysed using UHPLC-MS/MS to determine their chemical profiling. A range of antioxidant assays were performed to evaluate the extract’s antioxidant capabilities. The enzyme inhibition studies focused on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α-amylase, and α-glucosidase and tyrosinase. In addition, the study examined the antimicrobial effects on different bacteria and yeasts and evaluated the toxicity using the MTT assay. Quinic acid, citric acid, gallic acid, catechin, quercetin derivatives, kaempferol, myricetin, ellagic acid, prodelphinidins, procyanidins, scopoletin, and flavogallonic acid dilactone are the main bioactive compounds found in both species. In enzyme inhibition assays, C. monspeliasis roots exhibited significant activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), with the values of 2.58 ± 0.02 mg GALAE/g and 11.37 ± 1.93 mg GALAE/g, respectively. Cytotoxicity studies showed mostly weak toxicity, with some samples moderately reducing viability in RAW and HepG2 cells. These findings underscore the diverse biochemical profiles and bioactive potential of Cistus species, suggesting their utility as natural sources of antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development.
- Chemical characterization, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibitory effects of different extracts from one sage (Salvia ceratophylla L.) from Turkey: open a new window on industrial purposesPublication . Uysal, Sengul; Zengin, Gokhan; Sinan, Kouadio Ibrahime; Ak, Gunes; Ceylan, Ramazan; Mahomoodally, Mohamad Fawzi; Uysal, Ahmet; Sadeer, Nabeelah Bibi; Jekő, József; Cziáky, Zoltán; Rodrigues, Maria Joao; Yıldıztugay, Evren; Elbasan, Fevzi; Custódio, LuísaIn the present study, the methanolic, hydro-methanolic, dichloromethane, hexane and aqueous extracts of Salvia ceratophylla L. (Family: Lamiaceae), a lemon-scented herb, were tested for total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activities were evaluated using a battery of assays (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (phosphomolybdenum) and metal chelating). Enzyme inhibitory effects were investigated using acetyl- (AChE), butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, a-amylase and a-glucosidase as target enzymes. Regarding the cytotoxic abilities, HepG2, B164A5 and S17 cell lines were used. The phytochemical profile was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Our data showed that the methanolic aerial extracts possessed the highest phenolic (72.50 0.63 mg gallic acid equivalent per g) and flavonoid (43.77 1.09 mg rutin equivalent per g) contents. The hydromethanolic aerial extract showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity (193.40 0.27 mg TE per g) and the highest reducing potential against CUPRAC (377.93 2.38 mg TE per g). The best tyrosinase activity was observed with dichloromethane root extract (125.45 1.41 mg kojic acid equivalent per g). Among the tested extracts, hexane root extract exerted the highest antimicrobial potential with a minimum inhibitory concentration value of 0.048 mg mL 1. Methanolic root extract showed the lowest cytotoxicity (28%) against HepG2 cells. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of important polyphenolic compounds including luteolin, gallic acid, rosmarinic acid, to name a few. This research can be used as one methodological starting point for further investigations on this lemon-scented herb.
- Chemical profiling and biological evaluation of Nepeta baytopii extracts and essential oil: An endemic plant from TurkeyPublication . Zengin, Gokhan; Mahomoodally, Mohamad Fawzi; Aktumsek, Abdurrahman; Jekő, József; Cziáky, Zoltán; Rodrigues, Maria João; Custódio, Luísa; Polat, Rıdvan; Cakilcioglu, Ugur; Ayna, Adnan; Gallo, Monica; Montesano, Domenico; Picot-Allain, CareneNepeta baytopii is a poorly studied, endemic Nepeta species (Lamiaceae) of Turkey. For the first time, the biological activities (antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxicity properties) of the hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, water/methanol, and water extracts and essential oil prepared from N. baytopii aerial parts were assessed. Hydro-methanol (41.25 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g) and water extracts (50.30 mg GAE/g), respectively showed the highest radical scavenging (94.40 and 129.22 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g, for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging assays) and reducing (229.37 and 129.55 mg TE/g, for ferric-reducing antioxidant power and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity assays) capacities in vitro. An interestingly high inhibition was observed for ethyl acetate extract against butyrylcholinesterase (10.85 mg galantamine equivalent/g). The methanol extract showed high cytotoxicity (31.7%) against HepG2 cells. Caryophyllene oxide was identified in high concentrations in the essential oil (39.3%). Luteolin and apigenin and their derivatives were identified from the methanol and water extracts. The results obtained from this study highlighted that the abundance of highly bioactive compounds from Nepeta baytopii ensures the multiple biological activities of the tested extracts, and this suggests a potential use in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields, and therefore should be investigated further.
- Deeper Insights on Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll.Arg extracts: chemical profiles, biological abilities, network analysis and molecular dockingPublication . Sinan, Kouadio Ibrahime; Ak, Gunes; Etienne, Ouattara Katinan; Jekő, József; Cziáky, Zoltán; Gupcsó, Katalin; Rodrigues, Maria Joao; Custódio, Luísa; Mahomoodally, Mohamad Fawzi; Sharmeen, Jugreet B.; Brunetti, Luigi; Leone, Sheila; Recinella, Lucia; Chiavaroli, Annalisa; Orlando, Giustino; Menghini, Luigi; Tacchini, Massimo; Ferrante, Claudio; Zengin, GokhanAlchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg. is a well-known African medicinal plant traditionally used for various healing purposes. In the present study, methanolic, ethyl acetate and infusion extracts of A. cordifolia leaves were studied for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents and screened for their chemical composition. Moreover, the enzyme (acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterases, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase) inhibitory and cytotoxicity activities on HepG2: human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, B16 4A5: murine melanoma cells, and S17: murine bone marrow (normal) cells of extracts were evaluated. Finally, components-targets and docking analyzes were conducted with the aim to unravel the putative mechanisms underlying the observed bio-pharmacological effects. Interestingly, the infusion and methanolic extracts showed significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared with the ethyl acetate extract (TPC: 120.38–213.12 mg GAE/g and TFC: 9.66–57.18 mg RE/g). Besides, the methanolic extracts followed by the infusion extracts were revealed to contain a higher number of compounds (84 and 74 compounds, respectively), while only 64 compounds were observed for the ethyl acetate extract. Gallic acid, ellagic acid, shikimic acid, rutin, quercetin, myricetin, vitexin, quercitrin, kaempferol, and naringenin were among the compounds that were commonly identified in all the studied extracts. Additionally, the methanolic and infusion extracts displayed higher antioxidant capacity than ethyl acetate extract in all assays performed. In ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays, the methanol extract (500.38 mg TE/g for DPPH and 900.64 mg TE/g for ABTS) exhibited the best ability, followed by the water and ethyl acetate extracts. Furthermore, the extracts exhibited differential enzyme inhibitory profiles. In particular, the methanolic and infusion extracts showed better cytotoxic selectivity activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Overall, this study demonstrated A cordifolia to be a species worthy of further investigations, given its richness in bioactive phytochemicals and wide potentialities for antioxidants and pharmacological agents.
- Establishment and elicitation of liquid adventitious root cultures of Inula crithmoides L. for increased caffeoylquinic acids production and hepatoprotective propertiesPublication . Custódio, Luísa; Cziáky, Zoltán; Castañeda-Loaiza, Viana; Rodrigues, Maria JoaoThis study established a liquid adventitious root culture for Inula crithmoides L. focusing on producing extracts rich in hepatoprotective caffeoylquinic acids through elicitation. Adventitious roots were induced from in vitro-grown plant leaves cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA. Growth and secondary metabolites accumulation (phenolics, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids) were monitored weekly to determine the optimal harvesting time. Then, the adventitious roots were elicited for 4 weeks with varying concentrations of yeast extract-YE (50, 100 and 200 mg/L) and extracted with ethanol. The extracts were evaluated for their hepatoprotective effects against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Roots of greenhouse-cultivated plants were used to compare the results obtained from in vitro -grown adventitious roots. IBA supplementation induced 100% adventitious root formation, with maximum biomass and phenolic accumulation after 4 weeks. Hydroxycinnamic acid levels increased significantly with YE treatment at all the concentrations, particularly in case of chlorogenic acid and di-O-caffeoylquinic acid isomers. The root extracts displayed significant in vitro hepatoprotective effects, particularly at 50 mg/L YE elicitation. Overall, the elicitation of I. crithmoides liquid root cultures with yeast extract offers a promising, efficient, and cost-effective approach for optimizing the production of valuable caffeoylquinic acids having potential pharmaceutical use.
- Harnessing the bioactive potential of Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) Kuntze: insights into enzyme inhibition and phytochemical profilePublication . Youssef, Seria; Custódio, Luísa; Rodrigues, Maria João; Pereira, Catarina; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Jekő, József; Cziáky, Zoltán; Ben Hamed, KarimThis study assessed the halophyte species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) as a possible source of natural ingredients with the capacity to inhibit enzymes related to relevant human health disorders and food browning. Extracts using food-grade solvents such as water and ethanol were prepared by maceration from dried L. spathulatum leaves. They were evaluated for in vitro inhibition activity of enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α-glucosidase, tyrosinase and lipase, related to Alzheimer’s disease, type-2-diabetes mellitus, skin hyperpigmentation, and obesity, respectively. These extracts were also appraised for in vitro acute toxicity on tumoral and non-tumoral cell lines and their chemical composition by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The extracts were more effective towards BChE than AChE. The best results were obtained with the hydroethanolic and water extracts, with IC50 values of 0.03 mg/mL and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. The hydroethanolic extract had the highest capacity to inhibit α-glucosidase (IC50: 0.04 mg/mL), higher than the positive control used (acarbose, IC50 = 3.14 mg/mL). The ethanol extract displayed the best inhibitory activity against tyrosinase (IC50 = 0.34 mg/mL). The tested samples did not inhibit lipase and exhibited low to moderate cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines. The hydroethanolic extract had a higher diversity of compounds, followed by the ethanol and water samples. Similar molecules were identified in all the extracts and were mainly hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonoids. Taken together, these results suggest that L. spathulatum should be further explored as a source of bioactive ingredients for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Nutritional and phyto-therapeutic value of the Halophyte Cladium mariscus L. (Pohl.): a special focus on seedsPublication . Rodrigues, Maria João; L, Custódio; Mecha, Débora; Zengin, Gokhan; Cziáky, Zoltán; Sotkó, Gyula; Pereira, Catarina GuerreiroThis work searched for the phyto-therapeutic potential and nutritional value of seeds from the halophyte Cladium mariscus L. (Pohl.), aiming at its use as a source of bioactive ingredients for the food industry. Hence, the nutritional profile, including minerals, of seeds biomass was determined; food-grade samples were prepared, and their phytochemical fingerprinting assessed. Extracts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant potential, inhibitory capacity towards enzymes related to neuroprotection, diabetes, and hyperpigmentation, and anti-inflammatory properties, along with a toxicological assessment. Sawgrass seeds can be considered a proper nutritional source with a good supply of minerals. All extracts had a high level of total phenolics (65.3–394.4 mg GAE/g DW) and showed a chemically rich and diverse profile of metabolites that have several biological properties described (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory). Extracts had no significant toxicity (cell viabilities > 80%) and were overall strong antioxidants (particularly at radical scavenging and reducing iron), effective tyrosinase inhibitors (55–71 mg KAE/g DW), showed anti-inflammatory properties (30–60% NO decrease), and had moderate capacity to inhibit enzymes related to neuroprotection (AChE 3.7–4.2, BChE 4.3–6.0 mg GALE/g DW) and diabetes (α-glucosidase 1.0–1.1, α-amylase 0.8–1.1 mmol ACAE/g). Altogether, results suggest that sawgrass seeds have the potential to be exploited as a new food product and are a reservoir of bioactive molecules with prospective applications as ingredients for value-added, functional, and/or preservative food products
- Nutritional anti-nutritional chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the leaves of the sea cliff dwelling species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) KuntzePublication . Youssef, Seria; Custódio, Luísa; Rodrigues, Maria João; Pereira, Catarina; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Pinela, José; Barros, Lillian; Jekő, József; Cziáky, Zoltán; Ben Hamed, KarimThis work explored the nutritional and antioxidant properties of the leaves of the halophytic species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) Kuntze from Tunisian sea cliffs. Furthermore, the analysis of the total phenolics and flavonoids contents and their individual compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) were also studied. L. spathulatum leaves had high levels of moisture, ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, but low concentrations of crude protein, crude fat and acid detergent lignin. It contained low carbohydrates levels, and low energetic values. The most abundant macroelements were Cl, Na and Ca while the microelements detected in the highest levels were Fe and Zn. No relevant alpha-amylase inhibition was observed, and no toxic metals (Pb and Cd) and phytic acid were detected. The ethanol and the hydroethanolic extracts had the highest capacity to scavenge free radicals, to chelate iron and copper and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The same samples were also the most active towards oxidative haemolysis. These extracts contained high total phenolic and flavonoid contents. HPLC analysis, performed on ethanolic extracts identified 58 individual compounds known for their high antioxidant actvitiy including hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic, syringic acids), hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, coumaric, ferulic acids) and flavonoids (catechin, epigallocatechin gallate and naringin).In conclusion, the leaves of Tunisian accession of L. spathulatum were good source of minerals and fibers useful in the human diet for attaining nutritional sufficiency. The high in vitro and ex vitro antioxidant activities associated with high favonoids contents and compounds suggest the possibility to use the extracts of L. spathulatum in herbal products with the aim of improving general health and well-being, and/or as food additives for preventing lipid oxidation of lipid-rich food
- Physicochemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of yogurt fortified with Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N. E. Br. fruit peel extractsPublication . Bratkič, Kim; Rodrigues, Maria João; Castañeda-Loaiza, Viana; Guerreiro Pereira, Catarina Alexandra; Ratao, Isabel; Quintas, Célia; Majhenič, Andreja Čanžek; Jeko, József; Cziáky, Zoltán; Custódio, LuísaBiotechnological valorization of invasive species supports sustainable management by transforming ecological threats into valuable resources. While Carpobrotus edulis fruits are rich in bioactive compounds, their use as functional ingredients remains unexplored. This study assessed the feasibility of incorporating C. edulis fruit extracts into yogurt to enhance its functional properties. To achieve this, water, hydroethanolic, and ethanol extracts were prepared from fruit peels and pulps and characterized for their total phenolic and flavonoid content and in vitro radical scavenging (RSA) properties against DPPH and ABTS•+. The peel extracts had the highest phenolic and flavonoid content, and the strongest RSA, and were further analyzed for in vitro cytotoxicity on mammalian cells, chemically profiled by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS, and incorporated into yogurts. Fortified yogurts were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral content, physicochemical properties, and RSA immediately after preparation (t = 0) and after seven days of storage at 4 ◦C (t = 7). The peel extracts had low cytotoxicity and were rich in bioactive compounds, notably catechin and caffeic acid glucoside. The incorporation of water and hydroethanolic extracts improved yogurt’s water-holding capacity (WHC) and reduced syneresis at t = 0, although a decline in WHC and an increase in syneresis were observed at t = 7. The antioxidant properties of the yogurt were enhanced at both time points, and fortification resulted in increased Na, K, and Mg levels. These findings underscore the potential of C. edulis fruit peel extracts as a functional yogurt additive, promoting invasive species valorization while enhancing food quality and nutrition.