-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Phenolic compounds influence the sensorial properties of both olives and virgin oil and are important markers for studying
the characteristics of the fruits and controlling virgin oil production processes. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate
the polyphenolic and secoiridoid content of various virgin olive oils from Abruzzo (Italy) to obtain knowledge on quali-quantitative
profiles of these compounds in samples obtained from the same harvesting season (1998). These oils were collected from the
most frequent Abruzzo cultivars, Gentile, Leccino and Dritta, by two different processing techniques: a process of milling
and continuous washing with water or by traditional press. A quali-quantitative analysis was performed by HPLC-DAD, HPLC-MS
and HRGC to characterize the different subclasses, and in particular the following compounds were identified and calibrated:
tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, phenolic acids (ferulic, syringic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids), oleuropein aglycone, deacetoxyoleuropein
aglycone, elenolic acid and derivatives, other secoiridoid compounds and flavone aglycons (luteolin and apigenin).
Chromatographia 04/2012; 53(5):279-284. · 1.20 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Kavalactones represent the active constituents of kava-kava (Piper methysticum G. Forster), endowed with sedative and anaesthetic properties. Kavalactones are polar constituents, but poorly soluble in water with a low bioavailability. In this study, the formation of inclusion complexes of one of the most representative kavalactone isolated from kava-kava extract, (S)-7,8-dihydrokavain (DHK), with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) was investigated mainly by spectroscopic methods. NMR experiments were extensively used for the complete characterization of the complex and included (1)H NMR complexation shifts analysis, (1)H NMR diffusion measurements (DOSY), and ROESY experiments. In particular DOSY experiments demonstrated that in the presence of beta-CyD the translational diffusion of kavalactone is sizably slowed down (2.5x10(-10)m(2)/s) with respect to the free drug (4.4x10(-10)m(2)/s) according to the inclusion of DHK in the cavity of (beta-CyD). ROESY experiments confirmed the inclusion of DHK in the hydrophobic pocket of beta-CyD through the primary hydroxyl rim, being the most relevant interactions between the H3' of beta-CyD and the ortho protons on the phenyl ring of the DHK, and between H5' of beta-CyD and the meta/para protons of DHK phenyl ring. The inclusion of the phenyl ring of DHK, leaving the lactone moiety outside of CyD was also confirmed by the induced CD effects. The binary solution DHK/beta-CyD shows a 50% intensity increase of the negative band of the pi-pi* transitions of the phenyl ring with respect to the absorption observed with DHK alone. Molecular dynamics simulations results corroborated and further clarify observed spectroscopic data. It was found that the phenylethyl substituent at C6 has a preferential equatorial position in the free state, and an axial one in the complex, justifying the large downfield shift experienced by H6 of DHK upon binding. Finally the influence of beta-CyD on water solubility of DHK was investigated by phase-solubility studies. In the range 2-4mM of host, solubility of DHK was increased only two-fold, but being beta-CyD also a penetration enhancer, in vivo studies will be performed to clarify a possible role of the complex on the bioavailability of DHK.
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis 02/2010; 52(4):479-83. · 2.45 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In this study, the optimisation of biopharmaceutical properties of a dried commercial extract of St John's Wort were evaluated employing the in vivo forced swimming test (FST). Three new dosage forms containing beta-cyclodextrin and surfactants (SDS, ASC8) were compared in the FST with the commercial extract. The commercial extract showed antidepressant activity in mice after 60 min at a dosage of 100 mg/kg. The same antidepressant activity appeared in 30 min with a micellar solution of SDS containing the same quantity of extract (100 mg/kg), while with micelles of ASC8 the effect appeared at 15 min and with a dosage of 30 mg/kg. In the case of beta-cyclodextrin the best results were obtained at 30 min, administering 60 mg/kg of the extract. Finally, the influence of the formulations on the water solubility of the constituents of the extract is reported. The tensides dramatically enhanced solubility, in particular that of the more lipophilic compounds, in the case of beta-cyclodextrin this effect was very pronounced for flavonoids and biapigenin, lower for hypericins and practically insignificant for hyperforins.
Phytotherapy Research 08/2008; 23(2):197-205. · 2.09 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Verbena and lemon verbena aqueous preparations were investigated for their content of constituents, especially polyphenols by HPLC/DAD/ESI/MS analysis because they are used worldwide as herbal teas. The main class of compounds of these plants were phenylpropanoids (from 16 to 120 mg/g of dried extract), being verbascoside the most abundant in all the preparations up to 97% of the total phenylpropanoids. Also iridoids, hastatoside and verbenalin together with flavonoids, mono- and di-glucuronidic derivatives of luteolin and apigenin were found. These simple preparations, especially that obtained from infusion of lemon verbena, could be lyophilized to obtain a powder having interesting technological properties to be used as ingredients of cosmetics, food supplements and herbal medicinal products do to the many biological properties of verbascoside. In addition, the antioxidant property of the lemon verbena infusion was evaluated by the DPPH test using Trolox as the reference compound.
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 03/2008; 46(3):463-70. · 2.97 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In this study the influence of liposomal incorporation on both the stability and the in vitro (trans) dermal delivery of verbascoside was evaluated. The effect of drug entrapment into vesicles on its radical scavenging activity was also studied. Liposomes were obtained from soy phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol according to the film hydration method. Stability of verbascoside-loaded vesicles was studied over 6 months. Results showed that verbascoside can be incorporated in liposomes (E% = 57-66%), preventing its degradation. Stability studies (dynamic lager light scattering [DLLS] measurements and transmission electron microscopy [TEM] visualization) pointed out that vesicles were stable for 90 days and neither verbascoside leakage nor vesicle size alteration occurred during this period. The effects of vesicular incorporation on verbascoside diffusion through skin were investigated in vitro using newborn pig skin. Results showed that liposomes promoted drug accumulation into the stratum corneum but they did not give rise to any significant transdermal verbascoside delivery. Finally, results obtained from a 1, 1-diphenyl-2-pierylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay demonstrated that liposomes did not interfere with the radical scavenging activity of verbascoside.
Journal of Liposome Research 02/2008; 18(1):83-90. · 1.71 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research was to preliminary assess the suitability of a new method for the preparation of a solid formulation in form of powder composed by beta-cyclodextrin and the supercritical extract of Rosa canina hips. The method implies the extraction of carotenoids, in particular beta-carotene, from freeze dried fruits of R. canina with supercritical CO2 at 70 degrees C and 300 bar, in the presence of varying quantity of ethanol as entrainer. The obtained supercritical solution is then expanded at ambient conditions into an aqueous solution of beta-cyclodextrin to favour the interaction between beta-cyclodextrin and the lipophilic components of the extract. beta-carotene solubility (mole fraction) in supercritical CO2 or in supercritical CO2/ethanol mixtures were in the order of 1 10(-7). The beta-carotene extracted from R. canina fruits (nearly 10 microg/g of dry matrix), interacts almost quantitatively with beta-cyclodextrin affording a solid phase, which presents a low apparent solubility in water. Finally the interaction with beta-cyclodextrin results in a higher concentration of the beta-carotene trans- form relative to the cis- form in the extracted product when collected in an aqueous solution of beta-cyclodextrin with respect to the extract in n-hexane.
AAPS PharmSciTech 02/2008; 9(2):693-700. · 1.43 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: St. John's wort is a medicinal plant with a long history of use in traditional medicine all over Europe. Traditional preparations and in particular the infused oil from SJW flowers remains one of the most popular and curative topical remedy against ulcerations and burns. The presence of the characteristic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivatives, namely hyperforin and analogs are instead related to the oil's therapeutic activity. Indeed, it is well known that hyperforin has a potent antibacterial activity. In this study we tried to rationalize the production system of the oily preparation in order to obtain the highest concentration and stability of phloroglucinols. Five different samples of SJW oils were evaluated by HPLC-DAD-MS analysis to verify the variability and stability of the constituents according to the following factors: different harvesting time, fresh or dried plant material, use of sunlight or heating systems during extraction. The stability of these oils during 1 year was also tested.
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 01/2008; 45(5):756-61. · 2.97 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao) is a promising and potent antimalarial herbal drug. This activity has been ascribed to its component artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone that is very effective against drug-resistant Plasmodium species with a low toxicity. Our studies indicate that several flavonoids of A. annua can promote and enhance the reaction of artemisinin with hemin. These data are in good agreement with previous investigations on the in vitro potentiation of antimalarial activity of artemisinin by such flavonoids. As a consequence, in view of a possible use of the phytocomplex rather than pure artemisinin, an HPLC/DAD/MS method is proposed for the simultaneous detection and quantification of both flavonoids and artemisinin. Different extracts, obtained from two different herbal drugs, a commercial sample and a selected cultivar, were analyzed in order to determine which solvents provide the best yields of both artemisinin and flavonoids. Qualitative and quantitative results obtained using an HPLC method are described, which will be useful for developing highly effective herbal drug preparations.
Phytomedicine 08/2006; 13(7):487-93. · 3.27 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/DAD and MS qualitative and quantitative analyses of polyphenols, hydrolysable and condensed tannins from Pinus maritima L. and tannic acid (TA) extracts were performed using normal and reverse phase. Normal-phase HPLC was more suitable for pine bark (PBE) and tannic acid extracts analysis. The chromatographic profile revealed that P. maritima L. extract was mainly composed by polymeric flavanols (containing from two to seven units) and tannic acid (characterized by a mixture of glucose gallates containing from three to seven units of gallic acid). Concerning their antimycotic properties, P. maritima L. extract exhibited a broad activity towards yeast strains of the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, Filobasidiella, Issatchenkia, Saccharomyces: MICs from 200 to 4000 microg/ml (corresponding to 140-2800 microg/ml of active polyphenols) were determined. Conversely, no activity of tannic acid was observed over the same target microorganisms. Taken into consideration the above results of HPLC analysis and on the basis of the current literature, we may conclude that only 70.2% of polyphenols (recognized as condensed tannins) occurring in P. maritima L. extract can be apparently considered responsible for its antimycotic activity.
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 06/2006; 41(2):415-20. · 2.97 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A rapid and inexpensive HPLC method has been developed for simultaneous separation of the three main classes of polyphenol in the leaves of Cistus salvifolius L. Time devoted to extraction of polyphenols, which was performed using small volume of solvent, did not exceed 120 min. We identified three ellagitannins (punicalagin and related compounds), a total of ten glycosyl derivatives of quercetin and myricetin, and two coumaroyl glucosyl kaempferols by use of both diode-array detection (DAD) and mass spectrometry. The polyphenol composition of C. salvifolius leaves, which may contribute to the metabolic plasticity of the species, may explain its distribution in infertile soils of the Mediterranean area, and may also indicate this shrub is an important source of metabolites of potential use in human health care.
Chromatographia 08/2005; 62(5):245-249. · 1.20 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Negative-ion fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry together with precursor and product-ion spectroscopies has been validly employed in the identification of six flavonol glycosides present in the juice of Sedum telephium leaves. The proposed technique proved to be a valuable alternative to the combination of high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in the analysis of the complex polyphenol mixtures present in some medicinal plants.
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 04/2005; 9(10):963 - 967. · 2.79 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The efficient and rapid detection of bioactive compounds in complex matrices of different origins (natural or synthetic) is a key step in the discovery of molecules with potential application in therapy. Among them, molecules able to interact with nucleic acids can represent important targets. In this study, an optical DNA biosensor, based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transduction, has been studied in its potential application as new analytical device for drug screening. This device was applied to the analysis of pure synthetic or natural molecules and also to some fractions obtained by chromatographic separation of an extract of Chelidonium majus L. (great celandine), a plant containing benzo[c]phenanthridinium alkaloids having intercalating properties. The ability of these molecules to interact with the double stranded nucleic acid (dsDNA) immobilised on the sensor surface has been investigated. The optical sensing relies on the SPR-based bench instrument Biacore Xtrade mark and represents an example of multiuse sensor. The results obtained demonstrate the potential application of this device for the rapid screening of bioeffective compounds. The characteristics of the biosensor offer the possibility to be coupled to chemical analysis as in hyphenated technologies.
Talanta 02/2005; 65(2):578-85. · 3.79 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Recently, a supercritical carbon dioxide dried extract of Amica flower, with a very high sesquiterpene content was developed. In view of using this extract in formulations for cutaneous application, the ability of sesquiterpenes to permeate the skin was evaluated by HPLC/DAD/MS using the following permeation enhancers: oleic acid (OA), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), lauroglycol, isopropyl myristate and Tween 80. A skin permeation study was performed using a modified Franz diffusion cell and the human stratum corneum and epidermis as membrane. Solutions of the enhancers were directly analysed after dilution with methanol or DMSO. A simple RP-HPLC-DAD-MS method for the quantification of the sesquiterpenes was developed and the method showed no interference with the other substances extracted from the skin and the permeation enhancers. The study evidenced that among the selected skin permeation enhancers, DMSO and OA canbe considered as good candidates to be used in preparations for cutaneous application.
Pharmazie 02/2005; 60(1):36-8. · 1.01 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The polyphenolic composition of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Aai palm) fruit was investigated by HPLC-DAD-UV-Vis and HPLC-MS. Aai palm is widely diffused and cultivated in Amazon regions and especially in the Par state (Brazil), because the pulp of the fruit is largely consumed as food. This study confirms the presence of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside as major anthocyanic compounds. Moreover, four main compounds were also identified for the first time, i.e. homoorientin, orientin, taxifolin deoxyhexose, and isovitexin. Traces of a methyl-derivative of homoorientin were also detected. The amount of total anthocyanins was 0.5 mg g–1 of the dried pulp weight and the amount of the other flavonoids was 3.5 mg g–1 of the dried pulp weight. No other reports on the presence of non-anthocyanic flavonoids in Euterpe oleracea Mart. have been found so far.
Chromatographia 05/2004; 59(11):739-743. · 1.20 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The anthocyanic composition of Amorphophallus titanum (Becc.) Becc. ex Arcang. (Syn. Titan Arum), a plant growing only in the equatorial tropical rainforests of Sumatra, has been investigated for the first time. Spathe, spadix and female flowers were analysed and cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside (which represent about 97% of the total anthocyanin content) were identified by HPLC and HPLC–MS analysis. Traces of peonidin and pelargonidin p-coumaroyl glucosides were also detected.
Chromatographia 04/2004; 59(9):647-651. · 1.20 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Artichoke leaf extracts are widely used alone or in association with other herbs for embittering alcoholic and soft drinks and to prepare herbal teas or herbal medicinal products. Despite this wide diffusion, the European Pharmacopoeia does not report an official method for the determination of the active principles of artichoke leaf extracts. This work reports a quali-quantitative determination by HPLC/DAD and HPLC/MS techniques of both cynnamic acids and flavonoids present in some artichoke leaf commercial extracts (Com) compared with two different laboratory extracts (Lab). Most of the commercial extracts showed a similar quali-quantitative pattern with a single exception having five-six times higher value. The quantitative data from the Italian Pharmacopoeia(IP) official method does not evaluate the flavonoidic fraction and showed an overestimation of the caffeoyl esters with respect to the HPLC/DAD results. The proposed HPLC/DAD method was able to completely characterize and quantify this matrix and represents a contribution to better quality control of these herbal extracts.
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 03/2004; 34(2):349-57. · 2.97 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Analysis of herbal drugs and extracts need rapid and affordable methods to assure the quality of products. The application of the electrochemical sensors in the field of quality control of herbal drugs, herbal drug preparations and herbal medicinal products appears very promising, advantageous and alternative to conventional methods due to their inherent specificity, simplicity and for the fast response obtained. This paper presents a proposal about the application of disposable electrochemical sensors associated with electroanalytical instrumentation for the detection of heavy metal analysis in herbal drugs. In particular samples of St. John's wort were analysed applying anodic stripping voltammetry. The content of Cd and Pb were evaluated. The ICP spectroscopy was used as reference method.
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 07/2003; 32(2):251-6. · 2.97 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: An HPLC-ESI-MS method in a positive mode is proposed to qualitatively analyse the saponin fractions from dietary supplements
ofTribulus terrestris L. This method allows for theseparation of structural isomers, as highlighted for some terrestrosines. The MS fragmentation
pattern resulted diagnostic to collect structural information and the characteristic loss of water from some furostanolic
saponins was highlighted for the first time. Due to the wide number of glycosidic furostanolic and spirostanolic saponins
extracted from tribulus, a complete reference “molecular weight map” was created. Finally, a seml-quantitative evaluation
of the total saponin content was carried cut by HPLC-MS using protodioscin as external standard.
Chromatographia 01/2003; 57(9):581-592. · 1.20 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In continuing our investigations on tinctures, which represent both herbal drug preparations and herbal medicinal products, 40% and 60% v/v tinctures of artichoke and St. John's wort were investigated. Artichoke is largely used in hepatic disorders, while St. John's wort is an anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and healing agent. Both herbal drugs contain various constituents, although the compounds responsible for the main effects have not yet been completely identified. However, caffeoylquinic acids and flavones seem to be of crucial importance for the activity of artichoke, as well as flavonoids, naphthodianthrones, and phloroglucinol derivatives for St. John's wort, and they are used as marker constituents. Thus, quantification of all these constituents was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and HPLC--mass spectrometry (MS) analyses with rutin as external standard. In addition the stability of the constituents of these tinctures from accelerated and long-term testing was also evaluated. From the results it was evidenced that constituent content depends on the solvent used for the extraction. The stability was also shown to be very different and seems to be related to the water content of the tinctures.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy 06/2002; 28(5):609-19. · 1.49 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The compositions of the essential oil and the aromatic water of costmary (Balsamita suaveolens Pers.) cultivated in Tuscany were investigated. They represent the main ingredients of some traditional preparations sold commercially. The essential oil as such and the n-hexane extract of the aromatic water were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Both samples were found to be rich in monoterpenes. Eighty-five compounds were identified, accounting for 95.1 and 95.4% of the essential oil and n-hexane extract of aromatic water, respectively. Carvone was the main compound (43.5% in the essential oil and 74.9% in the n-hexane extract of aromatic water). In addition, solid phase microextraction was used to sample the volatile organic compounds emitted from the fresh plant and from the aromatic water, and carvone was again the main component, amounting to 46.2 and 41.3%, respectively.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 01/2002; 49(12):5907-10. · 2.82 Impact Factor
