An integrated high resolution mass spectrometric and informatics approach for the rapid identification of phenolics in plant extract

Aldini, G.,Regazzoni, L.,Pedretti, A.,Carini, M.,Cho, S.M.,Park, K.M.,Yeum, K.J. Elsevier 2011 Journal of chromatography A Vol.1218 No.20

An integrated approach based on high resolution MS analysis (orbitrap), database (db) searching and MS/MS fragmentation prediction for the rapid identification of plant phenols is reported. The approach was firstly validated by using a mixture of phenolic standards (phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavanols, isoflavones). In particular, the integrated approach consists of the following steps: (1) LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis in data dependent scan mode using an orbitrap mass analyzer (resolution 60,000; positive ion-mode, ESI source); (2) searching the experimental monoisotopic masses (tolerance 1ppm) in plant phenols databases; (3) filtering the entries on the basis of the phenol class to which the unknown belongs, as determined on the basis of the UV spectrum. Final identification is achieved by matching the isotopic pattern and by MS/MS fragmentation studies. In particular, experimental MS/MS fragments are matched with those predicted by a commercially available software. The method was then successfully applied for the rapid identification of phenolics contained in an EtOH extract of Angelica keiskei.

A selective Assay To Measure Antioxidant Capacity in Both The Aqueous and Lipid Compartments of Plasma

Giancarlo Aldini,Kyung-Jin Yeum,Robert M. Russell,Norman I. Krinsky 한국영양학회 2003 Nutritional Sciences Vol.6 No.1

Bioactives and Metabolic Syndrome

Giancarlo Aldini,Sang-Ik Han,Kyung-Jin Yeum 한국식품영양과학회 2014 한국식품영양과학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.2014 No.10

“Worth One Minute”: an anonymous rewarding platform for crowd-sensing systems

Lorenz Cuno Klopfenstein,Saverio Delpriori,Alessandro Aldini,Alessandro Bogliolo 한국통신학회 2019 Journal of communications and networks Vol.21 No.5

Readily available and affordable consumer-grade electronics,with ever-increasing sensing, computing, and communicationcapabilities, have provided the ground for distributed computationand data collection systems. Crowd-sensing applicationsrely on volunteers providing access to their personal devices—acategory encompassing smartphones, wearables, vehicles, and awide range of ‘Internet of Things’ appliances—and using themas sensors. These systems rely on the willingness of participantsto invest in a common cause, which often entails explicit effortsfrom users, occupation of hardware resources, and risks of sharingprivate data. Incentives and rewarding schemes are adoptedto encourage user participation. This paper introduces the “WorthOne Minute” (WOM) platform: an implementation of a generalpurposerewarding system based on anonymous vouchers. Theplatform is designed to reward user efforts towards the commongood, rewarding their contributions and the intrinsic social valuethey provide, while preserving their anonymity.

Fat-Soluble Bioactive Components in Colored Rice Varieties

Igor Otavio Minatel,한상익,Giancarlo Aldini,Mara Colzani,Nirupa R. Matthan,Camila Renata Correa,Denise Fecchio,YEUMKYUNG JIN 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.10

Bioactive components in rice vary depending on the variety and growing condition. Fat-soluble components such as c-oryzanol, tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoids, and fatty acids were analyzed in brown, sugary brown, red, and black rice varieties using established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and GC methodologies. In addition, these colored rice varieties were further analyzed using a high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (LTQ-Orbitrap XL) to identify the [M-H]- ions of c-oryzanol, ranging from m/z 573.3949 to 617.4211. The highest content of tocopherols (a-, 1.5; c-, 0.5 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (lutein 244; trans-b carotene 25 lg/100 g) were observed in black rice; tocotrienols (a-, 0.07; c-, 0.14 mg/100 g) in red rice, and c-oryzanol (115 mg/100 g) in sugary brown rice. In all colored rice varieties, the major fatty acids were palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1n-9), and linoleic (18:2n-6) acids. When the c-oryzanol components were further analyzed by LC-MS/MS, 3, 10, 8, and 8 triterpene alcohols or sterol ferulates were identified in brown, sugary brown, red, and black rice varieties, respectively. Such structural identification can lead to the elucidation of biological function of each component at the molecular level. Consumption of colored rice rich in beneficial bioactive compounds may be a useful dietary strategy for achieving optimal health.

Castanea sativa Mill. Extract Contracts Gallbladder and Relaxes Sphincter of Oddi in Guinea Pig: A Natural Approach to Biliary Tract Motility Disorders

Matteo Micucci,Pierfranco Ioan,Rita Aldini,Monica Cevenini,Vittorio Alvisi,Corrado Ruffilli,Alberto Chiarini,Roberta Budriesi 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.7

Impaired gallbladder motility is a contributing factor to gallstone formation. Since many drugs delaying intestinal motility inhibit gallbladder emptying, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect on gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi motility of a Natural Chestnut Wood Extract (NEC) that reduces intestinal motility. In order to evaluate the effect of the extract in normal- and high-risk gallstone conditions, the investigation was performed using tissues from animals fed normal and lithogenic diet. Fifty guinea pigs were administered either control or lithogenic diet. The spontaneous motility of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi were recorded on isolated gallbladder tissues; thereafter, the effect of NEC on motility was tested and compared with carbachol (CCh), potassium chloride (KCl), noradrenaline (NA), and A71623. Compared to controls, the lithogenic diet induced an irregular and disordered motor pattern in both the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi. NEC increased gallbladder and decreased sphincter of Oddi spontaneous motility independently of cholinergic, adrenergic, and CCK-1 receptor-mediated pathways both in controls and in lithogenic diet-fed animals, although the effect was lower in the latter group. The effect was reversible and mediated by calcium channels. The natural extract of chestnut increasing gallbladder contraction and inducing the relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi can be of benefit in pathological conditions associated with increased transit time at risk of gallstones.

Biological functions of histidine-dipeptides and metabolic syndrome

Byeng Chun Song,Nam-Seok Joo,Giancarlo Aldini,Kyung-Jin Yeum 한국영양학회 2014 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.8 No.1

The rapid increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, which is associated with a state of elevated systemic oxidative stress and inflammation, is expected to cause future increases in the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and sugars produces reactive carbonyl species, which, due to their electrophilic nature, react with the nucleophilic sites of certain amino acids. This leads to formation of protein adducts such as advanced glycoxidation/lipoxidation end products (AGEs/ALEs), resulting in cellular dysfunction. Therefore, an effective reactive carbonyl species and AGEs/ALEs sequestering agent may be able to prevent such cellular dysfunction. There is accumulating evidence that histidine containing dipeptides such as carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) and anserine (β-alanyl-methyl-L-histidine) detoxify cytotoxic reactive carbonyls by forming unreactive adducts and are able to reverse glycated protein. In this review, 1) reaction mechanism of oxidative stress and certain chronic diseases, 2) interrelation between oxidative stress and inflammation, 3) effective reactive carbonyl species and AGEs/ALEs sequestering actions of histidine-dipeptides and their metabolism, 4) effects of carnosinase encoding gene on the effectiveness of histidine-dipeptides, and 5) protective effects of histidine-dipeptides against progression of metabolic syndrome are discussed. Overall, this review highlights the potential beneficial effects of histidine-dipeptides against metabolic syndrome. Randomized controlled human studies may provide essential information regarding whether histidine-dipeptides attenuate metabolic syndrome in humans.

Bioavailability of plant pigment phytochemicals in Angelica keiskei in older adults

Camila R Correa,C-Y. Oliver Chen,Giancarlo Aldini,Helen Rasmussen,Carlos F Ronchi,Carolina Berchieri-Ronchi,Soo-Muk Cho,Jeffrey B Blumberg,Kyung-Jin Yeum 한국영양학회 2014 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.8 No.5

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Angelica keiskei is a green leafy vegetable rich in plant pigment phytochemicals such as flavonoids and carotenoids. This study examined bioavailability of flavonoids and carotenoids in Angelica keiskei and the alteration of the antioxidant performance in vivo. SUBJECTS AND MATERIALS: Absorption kinetics of phytochemicals in Angelica keiskei were determined in healthy older adults (> 60 y, n = 5) and subjects with metabolic syndrome (n = 5). Subjects consumed 5 g dry Angelica keiskei powder encapsulated in gelatin capsules with a low flavonoid and carotenoid liquid meal. Plasma samples were collected at baseline, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 h. Samples were analyzed for flavonoids and carotenoids using HPLC systems with electrochemical and UV detection, respectively, and for total antioxidant performance by fluorometry. RESULTS: After ingestion of Angelica keiskei increases in plasma quercetin concentrations were observed at 1-3 and 6-8 hr in the healthy group and at all time points in the metabolic syndrome group compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Plasma lutein concentrations were significantly elevated in both the healthy and metabolic syndrome groups at 8 hr (P < 0.05). Significant increases in total antioxidant performance were also observed in both the healthy and the metabolic syndrome groups compared to baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study clearly demonstrate the bioavailability of phytonutrients of Angelica keiskei and their ability to increase antioxidant status in humans.

Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Flowers and Olea Europea L. Leaves Extract-Based Formulation for Hypertension Care: In Vitro Efficacy and Toxicological Profile

Matteo Micucci,Andrea Angeletti,Massimiliano Cont,Ivan Corazza,Rita Aldini,Elisa Donadio,Alberto Chiarini,Roberta Budriesi 한국식품영양과학회 2016 Journal of medicinal food Vol.19 No.5

Olea europaea L. leaves extract (Oe) and Hybiscus sabdariffa L. flowers extract (Hs) have calcium antagonistic properties. Aim of this work was to study the cardiovascular effects of Pres Phytum , a nutraceutical formulation containing a mixture of the two extracts and the excipients, and investigate its possible off-target effects, using in vitro biological assays on guinea pig isolated organs. Cardiovascular effects were assessed using guinea pig atria and aorta. The effects of Pres Phytum on spontaneous gastrointestinal, urinary, and respiratory tracts smooth muscle contractility were evaluated. Pres Phytum exerted a vasorelaxant effect (IC50 = 2.38 mg/mL) and a negative chronotropic effect (IC50 = 1.04 mg/mL) at concentrations lower than those producing smooth muscle spontaneous contractility alterations in the other organs. Compared to Pres Phytum, the mixture did not exert negative inotropic activity, while it maintained a negative chronotropic efficacy (IC50 = 1.04 mg/mL). These experimental data suggest a possible nutraceutical use of this food supplement for the management of preclinical hypertension.