Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antimicrobial Activity of Alnus incana (L.) ssp. incana Moench and A. viridis (Chaix) DC ssp. viridis Extracts

Tatjana Stević,Katarina Savikin,Gordana Zdunic,Tatjana Stanojkovic´,Zorica Juranic,Teodora Jankovic,Nebojsˇa Menkovic 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.3

Antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities of leaves, bark, and cone extracts of Alnus incana (L.) Moench ssp. incana and endemic species A. viridis (Chaix) DC ssp. viridis were evaluated. All extracts were found to be strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavengers, exhibiting 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 3.3–18.9μg/mL, and also showed activity in inhibition of lipid peroxidation with IC50 values ranging from 38.5 to 157.4μg/mL. A. incana and A. viridis extracts exhibited significant cytotoxic effects toward HeLa cells, with IC50 values ranging from 26.02 to 68.5μg/mL. The most active extract of A. incana bark also contained great amounts of total phenolics (316.2mg of gallic acid equivalents/g). In our experiment all extracts were virtually nontoxic on brine shrimps. Extracts were screened for activity against 15 microorganisms, and all extracts investigated showed antimicrobial activity. The most active were dry extracts of cones of A. incana and A. viridis with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.117 to 0.129mg/mL.

Acute Effects of Black Currant Consumption on Salivary Flow Rate and Secretion Rate of Salivary Immunoglobulin A in Healthy Smokers

Aleksandra Konic´-Ristic,Katarina Savikin,Gordana Zdunic,Irina Besu,Nebojsˇa Menkovic,Marija Glibetic,Tatjana Srdic´-Rajic 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.4

The role of saliva in maintaining oral health and homeostasis is based on its physicochemical properties and biological activities of its components, including salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA). Both salivary rates and immunological status of saliva are found to be compromised in smokers. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute time-dependent effect of smoking and black currant consumption on the salivary flow rate (SFR) and salivary IgA secretion rate (sIgA SR) in healthy smokers. SFR, sIgA levels in saliva, and sIgA SRs were determined in healthy smokers (n = 8) at eight times of assessment within three consecutive interventions: at the baseline; 5, 30, and 60 min after smoking; 5, 30, and 60 min after black currant consumption (100 g), followed by smoking; and 5 min after black currant consumption. Smoking induced a significant delayed effect on SFR measured 60 min after smoking (P = .03), while black currant consumption preceding smoking prevented that effect. Salivary IgA concentrations and sIgA flow rates were not acutely influenced by smoking. Black currant consumption preceding smoking induced a significant decrease in sIgA concentrations 5 min after the intervention compared with the baseline (P = .046), with a further increasing trend, statistically significant, 60 min after the intervention (P = .025). Although smoking cessation is the most important strategy in the prevention of chronic diseases, the obtained results suggest that the influence of black currant consumption on negative effects of tobacco smoke on salivary flow and immunological status of saliva could partly reduce the smoking-associated risk on oral health.

Beneficial Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Chokeberry Juice Consumption on Blood Pressure Level and Lipid Status in Hypertensive Subjects

Nevena Kardum,Branislav Milovanovic,Katarina Savikin,Gordana Zdunic,Slavica Mutavdzin,Tatjana Gligorijevic,Slavica Spasic 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.11

Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between intake of foods rich in antioxidants and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease development. Polyphenols are considered the most abundant and important dietaryantioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice consumption on 24-h ambulatory monitored blood pressure (BP) level in subjects with no pharmacologically treated high normal BP or grade I hypertension. Twenty-three subjects (12 men and 11 women) aged 33–67 were enrolled and instructed to consume 200mL of juice daily for 4 weeks. Participants were divided in two groups, based on prevalence of sympathetic or parasympatheticactivity. Measurements of biochemical parameters and heart rate variability analysis were also applied. At the end of the intervention period, average 24-h and awake systolic and diastolic BP were significantly decreased (P < .05). This was more pronounced in the group with prevalence of sympathetic activity. Significant reduction in triglyceride level (P < .05) and a reducing effect on total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also found. Obtained results indicate a positive impact of regular chokeberry juice consumption on BP and lipid status in pharmacologically untreated hypertensive subjects.

Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Chokeberry Juice on Antioxidant/Pro-Oxidant Status in Healthy Subjects

Nevena Kardum,Aleksandra Konic´-Ristic,Katarina Savikin,Slavica Spasic,Aleksandra Stefanovic,Jasmina Ivanisevic,Milica Miljkovic 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.8

Berry fruits are a rich source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins: well-known potent anti-oxidant phytochemicals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate beneficial effects of long-term consumption of polyphenol-rich organic chokeberry juice on different markers of antioxidant/pro-oxidant status in healthy female volunteers. Twenty-nine women, aged 25–49, were included in the study. Serological markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence, blood pressure, routine biochemical, and anthropometric parameters were analyzed at baseline and after twelve weeks of regular chokeberry juice consumption. Significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances level (TBARS; P < .001) and pro-oxidantantioxidant balance (PAB; P < .05), as well as increase in paroxonase-1 activity toward diazoxon (P < .01) were found. Total oxidative status and sulphydryl groups levels were not significantly influenced by the intervention. Anthropometric, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure values were within the referent values for all subjects and were not influenced by the chokeberry juice consumption. However, we found positive correlation between age, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percent, blood pressure, and analyzed marker of lipid peroxidation, which was influenced by the consumption. In conclusion, the fine modulation of several antioxidant/pro-oxidant status biomarkers observed in healthy subjects indicates putative prophylactic effects of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice and supports its importance as part of an optimal diet.

Cytotoxic Effect of Wine Polyphenolic Extracts and Resveratrol Against Human Carcinoma Cells and Normal Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Ivana Matić,Zeljko Zizak,Mladen Simonovic,Branislav Simonovic,Dejan God-evac,Katarina Savikin,Zorica Juranic 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.4

Red and white wine polyphenols have been reported to provide substantial health benefits. In this study, the cytotoxic activity of red and white wine polyphenolic extracts and of resveratrol was evaluated against different cancer cell lines—human cervix adenocarcinoma HeLa, human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-361, and human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-453—and normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Qualitative and quantitative compositions of wine polyphenolic extracts obtained by fractional vacuum distillation of corresponding wines were determined using spectrophotometric methods and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis. It was demonstrated that wine polyphenolic extracts and resveratrol exerted higher cytotoxic activity against HeLa and MDA-MB-453cells in comparison to MDA-MB-361cells and unstimulated and stimulated PBMCs. Furthermore, white wine polyphenolic extract exhibited a significantly higher antiproliferative action on cancer cell lines than red wine extract. The presence of condensed or fragmented nuclei in HeLa cells, pretreated with extract of white wine and stained with a mixture of acridine orange and ethidium bromide, pointed to the morphological signs of apoptosis. In addition, HeLa cells in late stages of apoptosis or secondary necrosis were also observed. Results from our study suggest that polyphenolic extracts from red and white wine may have anticarcinogenic potential.

Spasmolytic Activity of the Ethanol Extract of Sideritis raeseri spp. raeseri Boiss. & Heldr. on the Isolated Rat Ileum Contractions

Suzana Brankovic,Dusanka Kitic,Mirjana Radenkovic,Slavimir Veljkovic,Teodora Jankovic,Katarina Savikin,Gordana Zdunic 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.5

Sideritis raeseri spp. raeseri Boiss. & Heldr., known as “mountain tea,” has been widely used in the Mediterranean region as a spice and in folk medicine as a very popular decoction because of its anti-inflammatory, carminative, analgesic, antitussive, stomachic, and antimicrobial properties. The study was aimed to investigate the effects of an ethanol extract of S. raeseri on intestinal activity. Air-dried and powdered aerial parts were extracted with 96% ethanol. The rat ileum preparations were incubated in Tyrode's solution gassed (95% O_2/5% CO_2) at 37°C. The ethanol extract of S. raeseri (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) relaxed spontaneous contractions in isolated rat ileum, similar to that produced by papaverine. The plant extract in a concentration-dependent manner (0.015–0.15 mg/mL) significantly inhibited the contractile response to acetylcholine (P<.01). Atropine inhibited the response to acetylcholine. A similar relaxation-inducing effect of the S. raeseri extract was observed on the precontracted ileum by histamine and barium chloride. Plant extract (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) significantly shifted the histamine concentration–response curve to the right and down (P<.01). The S. raeseri extract (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) significantly inhibited the contractions induced by barium chloride (P<.01). The results show that the ethanol extract of S. raeseri can produce inhibition of the the spontaneous rat ileum contractions and contractions induced by different spasmogens. These data indicate that S. raeseri acts as a spasmolytic on intestinal smooth muscle, which justifies its use in gastrointestinal disorders.