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Arbutus unedo L. and its benefits on human health
Abstract
Arbutus unedo has been long used in folk medicine, throughout Mediterranean countries, with the employment of infusions and decoctions of almost all parts of this plant: leaves, fruits, barks and roots. The application of these traditional remedies arises from several health-promoting characteristics, for treatment of gastrointestinal and urological problems, hypertension and cardiac diseases, diabetes and as anti-inflammatory agent, among other interesting properties. Antioxidant ability of A. unedo shrub is also known, and antimicrobial activity has also been reported. Several compounds present in different parts of the plant may be linked to these properties. Included in those are carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and vitamins (C and E). Other bioactive compounds may be also found in different parts of A. unedo, like terpenoids and organic acids. This review will focus on the known composition of several parts of A. unedo, their antioxidant ability and traditional use, and the available data sustaining the rationality of the use as part of folk medicine.
... The use and appreciation of native edible plants, both wild and cultivated, have been essential to the development of numerous cultures worldwide, particularly in the Mediterranean region, where these plants play a vital role in the health and well-being of local populations [1][2][3][4]. Arbutus unedo L., commonly known as the strawberry tree, is a small tree or shrub of the Ericaceae family, typical of Mediterranean climates [5]. Highly resistant to harsh conditions, it grows spontaneously in various regions of Portugal, predominantly south of the Tagus River, particularly in mountainous areas, such as the Caldeirão and Monchique [6]. ...
... In addition, strawberry tree ability to regenerate after fire, makes it an ideal candidate for reforestation projects to promote plants survival in Mediterranean ecosystems [10], in the restoring of degraded soils [11], and used as a broadleaved green firebreak around villages and infrastructures, particularly in the wildland-urban interface [12]. 2 From an economic perspective, the strawberry tree is one of the most important and widely recognized shrubs in the Mediterranean basin. It is valued for its many applications, including an ornamental plant, a melliferous plant [13], for its fruits [14] and wood and for medicinal purposes [3,4,15,16]. ...
... Figure 1 shows the distribution of the different accessions according to the 14 provenances (Table 1). Each accession was characterized (Table 1) by geographical coordinates, altitude, sun exposure (1-8), light conditions (1-3), lithology [40], soil [42], pH (1)(2)(3)(4)(5), soil texture (1-11), location (inland vs. coast), mean annual precipitation and temperature (mm and °C; from the climatological normal corresponding to the period 1951-1980 [43], humidity index (Ihu), xerothermic index [44] and Thornthwaite climatic classification [45]. ...
This research was carried out as part of a program for the conservation and improvement of the strawberry tree. Accessions’ prospecting was conducted in different Portuguese provenances. Accessions (204) were identified, and mature fruits were collected in autumn. The sugar contents in the fruit pulp (glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose) were analyzed by HPLC and the correlation between the average sugar content, climatic classification (Thornthwaite Method and Xerothermic Index), and edaphic characteristics was investigated. The predominant sugar was fructose, which ranged from 7.89±0.55% to 17.01±1.46% (f.w.), respectively, under an Attenuated Thermomediterranean climate at limestone-derived soil and an Accentuated Mesomediterranean climate at schist-derived soil. The lowest sugar contents, linked to a reduction in photosynthesis, were found: 1) in the north, despite soil water availability, due to the low temperature, high precipitation and short photoperiod, particularly during the fruit maturation (autumn); 2) in the south, due to the excessive number of dry days, linked to low soil water availability during the active growth period, particularly at limestone zones prone to water retention. The relationship found between the total sugar content and climate classification by the Xerothermic Index allows to enhance fruit production, advise on the establishment of new orchards and restore natural areas.
... The perennial shrub plant has a height of about 7-9 m and shows resistance [2,4]. Sandal strawberry tree fruit gives orange colored fruit in autumn and naturally grows in populations or as solitary trees in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, Syria, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, the Mediterranean islands, the Canary Islands and western Asia [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9]. The sandal strawberry tree fruit are generally used to produce alcoholic beverages such as wines, liqueurs, brandy, jams and marmalades. ...
... Özcan and Hacıseferogulları [1] reported that sandal strawberry tree fruit contained 2.1% crude oil. Oliveira et al. [6] detected that total phenolic contents of ripe, immature and intermediate strawberry tree fruit were 60, 108 and 111 mg GAE/g (dw), respectively. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the strawberry tree fruit changed from between 25.37 and 39.06 mg GAE/g (dw) to between 3.30 and 7.07 mg RE/g (dw), respectively [31]. ...
... and 1.08-13 mg AAE/g (dw) [31]. DPPH radical scavenging activities of ripe and intermediate strawberry tree fruit were (0.25 ± 0.02 mg/mL) and (1.09 ± 0.05 mg/mL), respectively [6]. The highest radical scavenging activity values of n-hexane and methanol extracts of the strawberry tree fruit were 73.73 µg/mL and 95.25 µg/mL, respectively [32]. ...
In this study, the effects of oven dehydration on chemical and bioactive properties, fatty acids, polyphenolic compounds and minerals of sandal strawberry tree fruit were investigated. While total carotenoid contents of the sandal strawberry tree fruit are determined between 4.20 (120 °C) and 5.43 µg/g (70 °C), tannin amounts of the sandal strawberry tree fruit were recorded between 5.13 (control) and 6.37% (70 and 120 °C). While total phenolic contents of dehydrated sandal strawberry tree fruit were found between 444.16 (120 °C) and 665.13 mgGAE/100 g (control), total flavonoid amounts of dehydrated sandal strawberry tree fruit were recorded between 592.91 (control) and 788.71 mg/100 g (120 °C). Antioxidant activity values of fruit ranged from 4.10 (120 °C) to 7.30 mmol TE/kg (control). Both total phenolic amounts and antioxidant activity values of untreated (control) sandal strawberry tree fruit were found to be higher than dehydrated ones, and a linear relationship was determined between the total phenolic amounts of the samples and their antioxidant activities. The highest amounts of phenolic compounds (ferulic acid, resveratrol and kaempferol) were detected in strawberry tree fruit dehydrated at 70 °C, followed by the control group and fruit dehydrated at 120 °C in decreasing order. Gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, catechin, caffeic acid and rutin were the main constituents of the strawberry tree fruit, followed by syringic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid in descending order. Palmitic, stearic and oleic acid amounts of dehydrated strawberry tree fruit oils compared to the control were observed to increase with the applied temperature, while the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic) decreased. In general, the mineral content of dehydrated strawberry tree fruit increased compared to the control. Since the oil, carotenoid, total phenol and phenolic component contents of sandalwood tree fruit are higher in the sample subjected to dehydration at 70 °C, this temperature can be considered as the ideal one for drying. In addition, considering the fatty acids, heat treatment at 120 °C can be preferred.
... Accordingly, El Cadi et al. [41] reported values for total flavonoid contents ranging from 37.43 to 41.51 mg quercetin g −1 DW, Barros et al. [44] reported an average value of 34.99 mg g −1 extract, while Šic Žlabur et al. [37] found values ranging from 7 to 15.58 mg catechin g −1 DW. Regarding the phenolic acids, quinic, protocatechuic, gallic, caffeic, ferulic, cinnamic, ellagic, syringic, hydroxycoumarin and vanillic acids were strongly represented [41,50,51]. Considering the flavones, dihydroxyflavone is the most abundant [41]; of the flavan-3-ols, catechins, epicatechins, procyanidin dimer with corresponding gallate and prodelphinidin; and of the flavonols, the hexoside of isorhamnetin, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin are the most abundant [41]. ...
... The content of sesquiterpenes increases from unripe to mid-ripeness, after which it is lower. The content of norisoprenoid derivatives decreases with ripeness, which also confirms the fact that the content of volatile compounds strongly depends on the ripening stage of strawberry tree fruit [51]. ...
... higher acidity, and pH ranging from 3.89 to 5.35, which depends on the location and climate [37]. They also contain various types of phytochemical compounds such as phenolic compounds, vitamins, terpenoids and essential oils [51]. In general, according to the numerous studies conducted, the leaves of the strawberry tree contain a significantly higher content of polyphenolic compounds than the fruits, so the leaf can be considered as a valuable material, especially in terms of human health. ...
The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is a Mediterranean plant known for the traditional use of its fruits and leaves due to their health benefits. Thus, it has been used for years in folk medicine to relieve various health conditions such as urological and kidney problems, dermatological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. The fruits are traditionally used for making jams, jellies, and strong alcoholic beverages, while the leaves are mostly used for preparing tea. Since the leaves were more researched, previous results indicated that they have important biological effects, so further research should focus on the fruits. Due to its chemical composition, rich polyphenolic profile and the biological potential derived from it, the plant has great prospects for the production of functional foods and nutraceuticals. However, the plant’s potential is underutilized in terms of processing. Therefore, this review summarizes the properties and the potential of the fruits and leaves of A. unedo and their possible benefits for processing with respect to agricultural, nutritive, biological and economic values.
... The leaves are alternate, simple, oblanceolate, dark green, leathery and have a serrated margin. The hermaphrodite flowers are white, bell-shaped .The fruits are conspicuous, globular, orange-red when ripe (Bento and Pereira, 2011;Miguel et al., 2014;Morgado et al., 2018). In traditional folk medicine, Arbutus unedo has been used for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, urological problems, cardiac diseases, hypertension and diabetes (Bento and Pereira, 2011;Miguel et al., 2014;Morgado et al., 2018). ...
... The hermaphrodite flowers are white, bell-shaped .The fruits are conspicuous, globular, orange-red when ripe (Bento and Pereira, 2011;Miguel et al., 2014;Morgado et al., 2018). In traditional folk medicine, Arbutus unedo has been used for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, urological problems, cardiac diseases, hypertension and diabetes (Bento and Pereira, 2011;Miguel et al., 2014;Morgado et al., 2018). ...
... Arbutus unedo has antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antibiotic, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiaggregant, antiinflammatory, antitumoral, antioxidant, and spasmolytic properties (Bento and Pereira, 2011;Miguel et al., 2014;Morgado et al., 2018). The antihypertensive effects of aqueous extract of the root of Arbutus unedo were studied both in spontaneously hypertensive conscious rats. ...
The incidence of hypertension is very high in human societies and its treatment is the most important priority in many countries. Knowledge of the plants that are used may provide insight on their properties, for further exploration. This study aimed to collect the knowledge on traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension in different regions of Morocco. We reviewed 145 research publications based on data from the six explored regions of Morocco published until August 2021 in various journals. This was achieved using literature databases: Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, Science Direct and Researchgate. The findings of this study indicated that 23 plants have been reported to possess antihypertensive activities in in vivo / in vitro experiments, while 81 plants had not been studied for such an activity. Plants from the Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae families were used most often. Leaves were the plant parts used most often. Decoction was the main preparation method. Twenty three plants have been explored experimentally for their antihypertensive activity. This review provides baseline data for plant species used to treat hypertension in Morocco and provides new areas of research on the antihypertensive effect of these plants.
... Some of these health benefits can be linked to the presence of phenolic compounds which are defined as compounds containing hydroxylated aromatic rings. It is well known that phenolic compounds can have beneficial effects against cancer, cardiovascular disease and many other diseases [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The positive effects of phenolic compounds on various chronic degenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancers [7][8][9]11,15,16] could be due to their antioxidant efficacy, lowering the amount of free radicals within the body [16]. ...
... It is well known that phenolic compounds can have beneficial effects against cancer, cardiovascular disease and many other diseases [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The positive effects of phenolic compounds on various chronic degenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancers [7][8][9]11,15,16] could be due to their antioxidant efficacy, lowering the amount of free radicals within the body [16]. Free radicals can cause damage to cells and their constituents that can lead to the onset and development of chronic degenerative diseases. ...
... These plants are well adapted to growing conditions in Slovenian Istria, but they are currently poorly represented in the landscape and habitats in this area, due to the increasingly global market and difficulties that smaller farmers have to compete with in a global market. This review focuses on plants that are not only important for the revitalization of species and preservation of natural heritage but also possess bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] that can have a beneficial effect against various diseases [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] and are important for human nutrition, due to high mineral, vitamin and dietary fiber [7,15,29,30,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] content. In order to promote local food development, a comprehensive overview of the phenolic compounds' composition and their impact on human health is provided. ...
Phenolic compounds are well-known bioactive compounds in plants that can have a protective role against cancers, cardiovascular diseases and many other diseases. To promote local food development, a comprehensive overview of the phenolic compounds’ composition and their impact on human health from typical Mediterranean plants such as Punica granatum L., Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Arbutus unedo L., Celtis australis L., Ficus carica L., Cynara cardunculus var. Scolymus L. is provided. Moreover, the potential use of these data for authenticity determination is discussed. Some of the plants’ phenolic compounds and their impact to human health are very well determined, while for others, the data are scarce. However, in all cases, more data should be available about the content, profile and health impacts due to a high variation of phenolic compounds depending on genetic and environmental factors. Quantifying variation in phenolic compounds in plants relative to genetic and environmental factors could be a useful tool in food authentication control. More comprehensive studies should be conducted to better understand the importance of phenolic compounds on human health and their variation in certain plants.
... Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves have beneficial health effects and have been used for decades in countries of the Mediterranean region in folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes as well as in prevention of platelet hyperaggregability (Oliveira et al. 2011). A. unedo leaves are also used as an uroantiseptic and several antimicrobial testings were performed pointing to strong antimicrobial activity (Oliveira et al. 2011, Pavlovi c et al. 2014, Jurica et al. 2017a. ...
... Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves have beneficial health effects and have been used for decades in countries of the Mediterranean region in folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes as well as in prevention of platelet hyperaggregability (Oliveira et al. 2011). A. unedo leaves are also used as an uroantiseptic and several antimicrobial testings were performed pointing to strong antimicrobial activity (Oliveira et al. 2011, Pavlovi c et al. 2014, Jurica et al. 2017a. Some authors claim that A. unedo leaves could be used as an adequate substitute for bearberry leaves [Arctostaphylos uva ursi (L.) Spreng], which help to relieve urinary tract inflammation problems (Pavlovi c et al. 2014, Jurica et al. 2017b). ...
... Such results confirm that the tested compounds improve the functional status of the liver cells, possibly by stabilizing the integrity of the cellular membrane, which in turn prevents leakage of enzymes. The observed hepatoprotective effect of the extract might be related to its complex phytochemical profile, and antioxidative properties confirmed in previous studies (Oliveira et al. 2011, Ga si c et al. 2015. However, considering reports of previous in vitro and in vivo studies, the greatest part of the membrane stabilizing effect could be associated to arbutin, for which it is well known that it protects their lipid components and prevents membrane degradation (Oliver et al. 2001). ...
Due to their beneficial health effects, strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves have for decades been used as herbal remedy in countries of the Mediterranean region. This pilot study is the first to investigate the liver function and DNA integrity in rat hepatocytes evaluated after 14 and 28 day treatments with strawberry tree water leaf extract and arbutin, administered per os to Lewis rats of both genders at a daily dose 200 mg/kg b.w. We focused on two types of biomarkers: enzyme serum markers of liver function (AST, ALT, and LDH), and primary DNA damage in the liver cells, which was estimated using the alkaline comet assay. At the tested dose, strawberry tree water leaf extract showed acceptable biocompatibility with liver tissue both in male and female rats, especially after shorter exposure. Our results also suggest that oral administration of single arbutin to rats was not associated with significant impairments either in the liver function or DNA integrity in hepatocytes. Considering that prolonged exposure to the tested compounds revealed minor changes in the studied biomarkers, future in vivo studies have to further clarify the biological and physiological relevance of these findings.
... However, in traditional medicine of many Mediterranean countries, A. unedo plant has been used widely with the employment of decoctions and infusions of all plant parts: fruits, leaves, barks, and roots [11,12]. For instance, the fruits are well known in folk medicine as an antiseptic, laxative, and diuretic [13,14], while the leaves are used as an astringent, urinary antiseptic, diuretic, antidiarrhea, and depurative. ...
... For instance, the fruits are well known in folk medicine as an antiseptic, laxative, and diuretic [13,14], while the leaves are used as an astringent, urinary antiseptic, diuretic, antidiarrhea, and depurative. Moreover, recently, the leaves have been used to treat inflammatory diseases, hypertension, and diabetes [11]. ...
... 3.97 (dd, 1H, CH-OH (1) , J = 7.5 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz); 4.57 (d, 1H, O-CH (9) , J = 7.5 Hz); 4.85 (s, 4H, 4OH (b,c,d,e) ); 5.86 (d, 1H, CH (5) , J = 2.4 Hz); 5.93 (d, 1H, CH (7) , J = 2.1 Hz); 6.69-6.78 (m, 2H, 2CH (14,15) ); 6.84 (d, 1H, CH (11) , J = 1.8 Hz). 13 C NMR (MeOD, 75 MHz): 27.09 (CH 2(2) ); 67.40 (CH (1) ); 81.43 (CH (9) ); 94.17 (CH (7) ); 94.96 (CH (5) ); 99.49 (C (3) ); 113.89 (CH (11) ); 114.76 (CH (14) ); 118.69 (CH (15) ); 130.82 (C (10) ); 144.81 (C (13) ); 144.84 (C (12) ); 155.51 (C (8) ); 156.15 (C (4) ); 156.39 (C (6) ). ...
Phytopharmaceuticals play an essential role in medicine, since the need to investigate highly effective and safe drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus disease remains a significant challenge for modern medicine. Arbutus unedo L. root has various therapeutic properties, and has been used widely in the traditional medicine as an antidiabetic agent. The current study aimed to isolate the pharmacologically active compound from A. unedo roots using accelerated solvent extraction technology, to determine its chemical structure using different instrumental analytical methods, and also to evaluate the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The roots of A. unedo were exhaustively extracted by high-pressure static extraction using the Zippertex® technology (Dionex-ASE, Paris, France), and the extract was mixed with XAD-16 resin to reach quantifiable amounts of active compounds which were identified by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), ¹H NMR (300 MHz), and ¹³C NMR. The antidiabetic activity of the isolated compound was evaluated using the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. The active compound was isolated, and its structure was identified as catechin using instrumental analysis.The results revealed that the isolated compound has potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 87.55 ± 2.23 μg/mL greater than acarbose. This was used as a positive control, which has an IC50 value of 199.53 ± 1.12 μg/mL. According to the results achieved, the roots of A. unedo were considered the best source of catechin and the Zippertex® technology method of extraction is the best method for isolation of this therapeutic active compound. In addition, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity results confirmed the traditional use of A. unedo roots as an antidiabetic agent. Future clinical trials and investigations of antidiabetic and other pharmacological effects such as anticancer are required.
... Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae family), is an evergreen shrub widespread in the Mediterranean basin [1]. It is treasured for its fruits which are used to obtain alcoholic drinks, jams, jellies, and marmalades, whereas its flowers can serve as a source for the production of a high added value honey [1,2]. The leaves are yet to be exploited despite the fact that a wide range of phenolic antioxidants has been identified, various extracts have been reported to present a range of biological properties in vitro, whereas their infusion has been used in the folklore medicine to counteract various diseases [2]. ...
... It is treasured for its fruits which are used to obtain alcoholic drinks, jams, jellies, and marmalades, whereas its flowers can serve as a source for the production of a high added value honey [1,2]. The leaves are yet to be exploited despite the fact that a wide range of phenolic antioxidants has been identified, various extracts have been reported to present a range of biological properties in vitro, whereas their infusion has been used in the folklore medicine to counteract various diseases [2]. ...
... The published data on A. unedo leaf extracts may be promising for the food industry; even so, such information seems not adequate to promote the use of leaves as a dietary source of health promoting antioxidants. This is probably due to i) the examination in most cases of extracts prepared with solvents not suitable for human consumption [1,2]; ii) the use of conditions (solid/solvent ratio, technique of preparation and duration), in the limited studies carried out on aqueous extracts [3][4][5][6], that do not resemble domestic ones; iii) the lack of quantitative data on individual constituents and identification of those ones that may contribute the most to the bioactivity of the extracts. These issues need to be addressed in order a plant material to pave its way in the field of dietary sources of bioactive constituents. ...
The phenolic content/composition and antioxidant activity of hot/cold infusion and decoction from the leaves of Arbutus unedo were studied for the first time. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS●+), crocin-bleaching, copper-reducing, and liposome accelerated oxidation assays were used for the evaluation of the activity in vitro. In vivo, the extracts were examined for their ability to protect S. cerevisiae cells from H2O2 induced oxidative stress. An on-line high-performance liquid chromatography-DPPH● assay was applied to identify potent radical scavengers and comment on their contribution to the total activity. The addition of leaves to boiling water (decoction) was the most appropriate practice to apply since the highest phenol intake (220.2 mg gallic acid/cup served) was obtained. Additionally, its antioxidant activity was equal or superior to that of the other extracts. Flavonols (~51–61 mg/g dry extract) were the main phenols in all the extracts, with quercitrin accounting for ~20% of the total phenol amount. The on-line DPPH● method verified the high potency of the decoction and indicated as the most active radical scavengers, two galloylquinic acid derivatives and myricitrin, accounting for ~28–45% and ~11–13% of the total scavenging, respectively. Present data may contribute to the future exploitation of A. unedo leaves by the food industry for health-promoting herbal tea preparations and dietary supplements.
... The use and appreciation of native edible plants, both wild and cultivated, have been essential to the development of numerous cultures worldwide, particularly in the Mediterranean region, where these plants play a vital role in the health and well-being of local populations [1][2][3][4]. Arbutus unedo L., commonly known as the strawberry tree, is a small tree or shrub of the Ericaceae family, typical of Mediterranean climates [5]. Highly resistant to harsh conditions, it grows spontaneously in various regions of Portugal, predominantly south of the Tagus River, particularly in mountainous areas, such as the Caldeirão and Monchique [6]. ...
... In addition, the oceanic influence was also considered in the variable location, with sites situated less than 16 km (in a straight line) being categorized as coastal. Soil pH is reported in an ascending order (1)(2)(3)(4)(5), from very acidic soils with a pH below 4 to alkaline soils with a pH above 9; and finally, soil texture is presented 1 to 11, according to the guidelines of the collection form for plant material from wild plants from the Portuguese Plant Germplasm Bank (1-sandy; 2-loam; 3-sandy loam; 4-clay loam; 5-clay; 6-silt; 7-silt-clay; 8-sandy loam; 9-loamy; 10-sandy clay; 11-highly organic). ...
This research was carried out as part of a program for the conservation and improvement of the strawberry tree. Accessions’ prospecting was conducted in different Portuguese provenances. Accessions (204) were identified, and mature fruits were collected in autumn. The sugar contents in the fruit pulp (glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose) were analyzed by HPLC and the correlation between the average sugar content, climatic classification (Thornthwaite Method and Xerothermic Index), and edaphic characteristics was investigated. The predominant sugar was fructose, which ranged from 7.89 ± 0.55% to 17.01 ± 1.46% (f.w.), respectively, under an Attenuated Thermomediterranean climate at limestone-derived soil and an Accentuated Mesomediterranean climate at schist-derived soil. The lowest sugar contents, linked to a reduction in photosynthesis, were found: (1) in the north, despite soil water availability, due to the low temperature, high precipitation and short photoperiod, particularly during the fruit maturation (autumn); (2) in the south, due to the excessive number of dry days, linked to low soil water availability during the active growth period, particularly at limestone zones prone to water retention. The relationship found between the total sugar content and climate classification by the Xerothermic Index allows to enhance fruit production, advise on the establishment of new orchards and restore natural areas.
... The lower EC50 value that corresponds to the higher reducing capacity was obtained from MetEx (0.471 ± 0.022 and 1.655 ± 0.032 mg/ml, for MetEx and AqEx, respectively) ( Table 1). The EC50 of the extract was lower than the one reported by Oliveira and Mendes et al. 8,46 On the other hand, these values were higher than those found by Asmaa et al. 39 This antioxidant activity showed that phenolic constituents of A. unedo were good electron donors, being able to terminate the radical chain reaction by transforming the free radicals into more stable compounds. Furthermore, the fruits presenting higher amounts of total phenols (intermediate stage of maturation) achieved a lower EC50 value for this method. ...
... The unripe fruits, presenting the lowest content of total phenols, present the higher value of EC50 in the reducing power assay, and the ripe fruits, with an inbetween phenolic content, also presented an intermediate EC50 value. 8 Finally, this study confirmed that antioxidant activity was well correlated with the amount of phenolics present in the extract of A. unedo fruits. ...
... The fruits are used for making alcoholic beverages, jams, marmalades or it is freshly consumed (in a lower manner) [35]. Traditional medicine recommended the leaves and fruit of the genus Arbutus as antiseptic, diuretic, laxative and antihypertensive remedy [24,33]. The chemical composition of the whole plants or various organs was studied in order to exploit its therapeutic properties, because the species products have lower economic importance [22]. ...
... The chemical composition of the leaf is divers, previous studies showing the presence of the following active principles: flavones (quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside), phenol-carboxylic acids (chlorogenic acid), procyanidin dimers and other proanthocyanidins, tannins (catechins, gallocatechin, ethyl gallate), arbutin (only in leaves, up to 1.21 g%), sterols, triterpenes, essential oils, fatty acids, organic acids and vitamins [22,27]. Previous investigations on the leaves of these species are modest, but pharmacological research has shown that Arbutus unedo extracts have antimicrobial (Candida albicans, Enteroccocus faecalis), antiparasitic (Trichomonas vaginalis) and antihypertensive properties [1,9,24]. The search for antimicrobial agents is an urgent need emerged from the increased antibiotic microbial resistance [38]. ...
... Phenolic acids such as gallic, protocatechuic, ellagic, ferulic, and caffeic acids, have an important role in antimicrobial protection (Borges et al., 2013). One of the plant species used in traditional and folk medicine so far for the treatment of UTIs is Arbutus unedo L. (known as the strawberry tree) of the family Ericaceae (Oliveria et al., 2011), which is widespread in the Mediterranean region, as well as the region of Asia Minor and Western Europe (Mariotto et al., 2008). The leaves of A. unedo showed a wide range of biological effects (Oliveria et al., 2011), and they are rich in tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and glycosides (Jurica et al., 2017). ...
... One of the plant species used in traditional and folk medicine so far for the treatment of UTIs is Arbutus unedo L. (known as the strawberry tree) of the family Ericaceae (Oliveria et al., 2011), which is widespread in the Mediterranean region, as well as the region of Asia Minor and Western Europe (Mariotto et al., 2008). The leaves of A. unedo showed a wide range of biological effects (Oliveria et al., 2011), and they are rich in tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and glycosides (Jurica et al., 2017). The content of polyphenols in A. unedo leaves often depend on the climate and the geolocation of their origin. ...
Antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy through a synergistic effect of herbal leaf extracts of bearberry (BE), bearberry tea (BTE), parsley (PE), and the strawberry tree (STE) was evaluated to discover an alternative approach to control urinary tract infections caused by Enterococci. UHPLC–DAD MS/MS analysis indicated that herbal extracts were rich in ellagic and gallic acids, catechin, quercetin, and arbutin, which are strong antioxidants. Mostly, Enterococcus faecalis isolates showed resistance only to gentamicin and/or norfloxacin (26.3%) and moderate biofilm production (31.5%), while 12 isolates of Enterococcus faecium showed multiple antibiotic resistance. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the majority of isolates was 1.25 mg ml-1 for STE, but 2.5 mg ml-1 for BE and BTE. Although individual extracts gave higher MIC values, for most isolates, a synergistic effect at lower concentrations was achieved, when BE or BTE (0.625 mg ml-1) was combined with STE (0.31 mg ml-1). The BTE extract was shown to have the strongest individual effect on initial adhesiveness and on biofilm formation to all selected isolates, while the synergism of BTE and STE caused significant biofilm inhibition at all concentrations tested. The synergistic effect achieved of the tested extract combinations might be a starting point in the development of alternative products, effective against antibiotic resistant Enterococcus isolates.
... The previous literature data state values of TA content in the range of 0.66-1.59% [6], or even higher values of between 1.51-3.45% [22]. ...
... Anthocyanins, have been proven to have a strong antioxidant effect, along with β-carotene from the carotenoid group [40]. Strawberry tree fruits are also unique due to their long period of maturation, whereby fruits from the same plant may show different compositions of individual pigments [6]. In this study, several plant pigments both in the fruits (Table 3) and leaves (Table 4) were analyzed. ...
The strawberry tree fruit and leaf are a rich source of minerals, easily digestible sugars, dietary fibers, vitamins (especially vitamin C) and many bioactive compounds of significant functional value. Due to their favorable chemical composition, fruits have recently become increasingly popular in consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the physical-chemical composition, content of bioactive compounds, and also the antioxidant capacity of the fruit and leaves of wild strawberry tree populations among the Adriatic coast in Croatia, as well as to investigate the influence of location on the content of specific bioactive compounds. According to the obtained results, both fruit and leaves are pronouncedly high in vitamin C content, the average value for fruits amounted to 224.21 mg/100 g FW, while that for leaves amounted to 138.08 mg/100 g FW. Additionally, significantly high values of total polyphenolic compounds were recorded both in fruits (average value of 637.94 mg GAE/100 g FW) and especially in leaves (average value of 2157.01 mg GAE/100 g FW). Several pigments from different categories were determined in the fruit depending on fruit maturity, including: total anthocyanins, β-carotene and lycopene; while in leaves chlorophylls and carotenoids. Given the high content of different bioactive compounds high values of antioxidant capacity were determined (the average value for fruits was 2269.96 µmol TE/kg and for leaves, 2237.16 µmol TE/kg). Location strongly influenced the physical-chemical composition and also the content of specialized metabolites; populations collected from southern areas (central and south Dalmatia) of the Adriatic coast tended to have higher amounts of vitamin C, total phenols, total anthocyanins and β-carotene.
... Strawberry tree (ST) (Arbutus unedo L.) is wild bushy evergreen plant that typically grows in the Mediterranean region (Lim, 2012). All plant parts have traditionally been used in phytotherapy (Oliveira et al., 2011). Water leaf extract has beneficial effects in treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and inflammation, mainly due to its diuretic, uroantiseptic and astringent properties (Afkir et al., 2008;Mariotto et al., 2008;Oliveira et al., 2011;Amel, 2013). ...
... All plant parts have traditionally been used in phytotherapy (Oliveira et al., 2011). Water leaf extract has beneficial effects in treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and inflammation, mainly due to its diuretic, uroantiseptic and astringent properties (Afkir et al., 2008;Mariotto et al., 2008;Oliveira et al., 2011;Amel, 2013). ...
Ethnopharmacological relevance:
Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L., Ericaceae) leaves represent a potent source of biologically active compounds and have been used for a long to relieve symptoms of various health impairments and diseases. Two major compounds related to their beneficial activities in animals and humans are arbutin and hydroquinone.
Aim of the study:
To establish potential benefit/risk ratio associated with daily oral administration of strawberry tree water leaf extract, arbutin and hydroquinone in doses expected to be non-toxic.
Materials and methods:
We performed a 14-day and a 28-day study on male and female Lewis rats and evaluated main haematological parameters and the effects of treatments on the levels of primary DNA damage in white blood cells (WBC) using the alkaline comet assay.
Results:
Our findings suggest no significant changes in the haematological parameters following prolonged exposure to strawberry tree water leaf extract, arbutin, and hydroquinone. However, hydroquinone causes increased, and extract as well as arbutin decreased WBC count in male rats compared to control after 14 days of treatment. DNA damage measured in WBC of rats treated with all compounds was below 10% of the DNA in the comet tail, which indicates low genotoxicity. The genotoxic potential of strawberry water leaf extract was within acceptable limits and reflected effects of a complex chemical composition upon DNA. We also observed slight gender- and exposure time- related differences in primary DNA damage in the leukocytes of control and treated rats.
Conclusions:
Future studies should investigate which doses of strawberry tree water leaf extract would be most promising for the potential use as a substitute for bearberry leaves for treatment of urinary infection.
... In Europe, this species grows in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Albania, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovinia, Croatia, FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia and in the Mediterranean islands (Balearic, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Crete). It is also able to adapt to conditions of the south-western coast of Ireland [1][2][3][4]. The vernacular name of Strawberry tree in Greece is -koumaria‖ and of its fruit -koumaro‖ [3]. ...
... Initially, their color is yellow, then turns yellow-orange and finally becomes red during maturation (Picture 1). According to some studies, phenolic compounds that have excellent antioxidant activity, have been identified in the Koumaro fruits as well as fatty acids, organic acids, sugars, various volatile compounds and minerals [2,6]. It is considered to be an organic product because it is widely grown without any agrochemical substances. ...
Koumaria is the common Greek name of the bushy shrub Arbutus unedo L., also known as the strawberry tree. Its fruits are considered to be an organic product because it is widely grown without any agrochemical substances and are mainly used for the production of an aromatic traditional distillate, named Koumaro. The aim of the present study was to estimate total phenols and antioxidant capacity of Koumaro distillates from five mainland areas of Greece (Preveza, Ioannina, Thesprotia, Pieria and Aitoloakarnania). 25 different samples of Koumaro distillates were used (5 samples from each of the above mentioned areas). The antioxidant capacity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and total phenols were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant capacity for all samples was ranging between 48.41% and 58.84%. Moreover, total phenols in all samples were ranging between 5.97 mg/L and 9.99 mg/L expressed as gallic acid. Obtained results showed that Koumaro distillates exhibited a remarkable antioxidant capacity, which could possibly be increased by the addition of various kinds of berries during the distillation process.
... The leaves are also rich in bioactive compounds like polyphenols, terpenoids, essential oils, and tocopherols (Katalinic et al., 2006;Alexandre et al., 2020 andZitouni et al., 2020), which contribute to various beneficial activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects (Mariotto et al., 2008;Ferreira et al., 2010;Malheiro et al., 2012 andPečivová et al., 2014). These bioactive compounds indicate the potential of strawberry leaves in treating illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer (Hung et al., 2004;Mareš et al., 2008;Oliveira et al., 2011;Bouzabata, 2013;Badawy, 2022 andElhassaneen et al., 2022b). ...
The present study investigated the effects of dietary interventions using strawberry leaf powder (SLP) and cauliflower leaf powder (CLP) on oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and histological changes in diet-induced obese rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into two main groups: Group 1 (6 rats) received a basic diet (BD), while Group 2 (30 rats) was fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity over 8 weeks. Group 2 was then further divided into four subgroups: subgroup 2 served as the obese control (DIO), while subgroups 3, 4, and 5 were fed a BD supplemented with 10% CLP, 10% SLP, and a combination of CLP and SLP, respectively. At the end of the 8-week period, the normal group's body weight (BW) gain was 0.95%, food intake (FI) was 13.94 g/day/rat, and the feed efficiency ratio (FER) was 0.079. In contrast, the obese control group saw increases of 58.49%, 30.27%, and 23.59%, respectively. Supplementation with CLP, SLP, and the combined mix led to a significant (p≤0.05) reduction in BW, FI, and FER among obese rats. Furthermore, CLP and SLP effectively improved obesity-related conditions by lowering serum glucose and insulin levels, protecting the liver by reducing serum enzyme activity, increasing antioxidant levels (GSH and GSSG), and improving inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and NO). Additionally, they reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating lower lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. The study also highlighted the positive effects of these supplements on obesity-related histological changes in adipose and liver tissues. These findings suggest that dietary modifications with plant-based components can help mitigate obesity-related complications, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance.
... For example, reported that a comprise of various phenolic compounds with health beneficial effects was found in strawberry leaves, two major compounds related to their beneficial activities in animals and humans are arbutin and hydroquinone. Results of previous studies suggested that arbutin is a potent antioxidative and cytoprotective agent [15,16] Also, aquatic extract of strawberry leaves has positive effects in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and inflammation, chiefly due to its diuretic, uroantiseptic and astringent properties [17,18]. Furthermore, strawberry leaves are considered to be an excellent source of compounds, with high antioxidant capacity, high biological activities and potential health benefits such as reducing myocardium ischemia, reduction of thrombosis risk and anti-cancer activity [19]. ...
... The leaves are also rich in bioactive compounds like polyphenols, terpenoids, essential oils, and tocopherols (Katalinic et al., 2006;Alexandre et al., 2020 andZitouni et al., 2020), which contribute to various beneficial activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects (Mariotto et al., 2008;Ferreira et al., 2010;Malheiro et al., 2012 andPečivová et al., 2014). These bioactive compounds indicate the potential of strawberry leaves in treating illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer (Hung et al., 2004;Mareš et al., 2008;Oliveira et al., 2011;Bouzabata, 2013;Badawy, 2022 andElhassaneen et al., 2022b). ...
The present study investigated the effects of dietary interventions using strawberry leaf powder (SLP) and cauliflower leaf powder (CLP) on oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and histological changes in diet-induced obese rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into two main groups: Group 1 (6 rats) received a basic diet (BD), while Group 2 (30 rats) was fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity over 8 weeks. Group 2 was then further divided into four subgroups: subgroup 2 served as the obese control (DIO), while subgroups 3, 4, and 5 were fed a BD supplemented with 10% CLP, 10% SLP, and a combination of CLP and SLP, respectively. At the end of the 8-week period, the normal group's body weight (BW) gain was 0.95%, food intake (FI) was 13.94 g/day/rat, and the feed efficiency ratio (FER) was 0.079. In contrast, the obese control group saw increases of 58.49%, 30.27%, and 23.59%, respectively. Supplementation with CLP, SLP, and the combined mix led to a significant (p≤0.05) reduction in BW, FI, and FER among obese rats. Furthermore, CLP and SLP effectively improved obesity-related conditions by lowering serum glucose and insulin levels, protecting the liver by reducing serum enzyme activity, increasing antioxidant levels (GSH and GSSG), and improving inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and NO). Additionally, they reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating lower lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. The study also highlighted the positive effects of these supplements on obesity-related histological changes in adipose and liver tissues. These findings suggest that dietary modifications with plant-based components can help mitigate obesity-related complications, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance.
... En revanche, la majorité des résultats de nos travaux ont été conformes avec ceux retrouvés par d'autres études soit en Algérie [23], Portugal [24,25], Turquie [18,26], Croatia [19] et en Spain [6]. Cependant, certaines divergences observées ont été plus au moins justifiées. ...
RESUME Introduction : Arbutus unedo L. ou "sasnou", comme on l'appelle dans la région Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, appartient à la famille d'Ericaceae. C'est un arbre très connu dans certaines régions du Maroc pour ses propriétés médicinales. Ceci est dû à sa richesse en métabolites secondaires et à son activité antioxydante. Objectif : Cette étude a pour objectif d'identifier les métabolites secondaires présents au niveau des organes aérés d'arbutus unedo L. (fruit, tige, feuille). Méthodes : Cette plante a été cueillie en Janvier au niveau de la forêt d'EL Harcha entre les communes Tidass et Oulmès. L'identification des métabolites secondaires a été faite via un screening phytochimique en utilisant des analyses qualitatives basées sur des réactions de coloration ou précipitation et des techniques de chromatographies sur couches minces. Ces techniques séparatives utilisent des solvants organiques, ainsi que des réactifs permettant la révélation des molécules recherchées d'une manière spécifique. Résultats : L'étude qualitative et l'emploi de la technique de chromatographie sur couches minces ont montré que les trois organes d'arbutus unedo L. renferment des métabolites secondaires importants, tels que les flavonoïdes, les tanins, les saponines, les alcaloïdes, les composés réducteurs, les coumarines, les caroténoïdes, les stérols et tri terpènes, et les huiles essentielles. Cependant, les mucilages existent uniquement au niveau du fruit et la feuille. Les protéines sont présentes seulement dans le fruit. Conclusion : Le screening phytochimique nous confirme la richesse de cette espèce en métabolites secondaires qui peuvent conférer à d'arbutus unedo ses vertus thérapeutiques. ABSTRACT Introduction: Arbutus unedo L. (strawberry tree), or "Sasnou", as it is called in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, belongs to the Ericaceae family. In some regions of Morocco, this tree is widely known for its health benefits and medicinal properties, thanks to its richness in secondary metabolites and antioxidant compounds. Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the secondary metabolites present in the aerated organs of Arbutus unedo (fruit, stem and leaf). Methods: The plant was picked off in January at the forest of El Harcha, between the Tidass and Oulmès communes. The identification of secondary metabolites was carried out via phytochemical screening using qualitative analyses based on a set of staining / precipitation reactions and thin layer chromatography techniques. These separating analyses use organic solvents and reagents allowing the detection of the sought molecules in a specific way. Results: Phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography showed that the three organs of Arbutus unedo L. contain important secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, reducing compounds, coumarins, carotenoids, sterols and triterpenes, and essential oils. However, mucilages exist only in the fruit and the leaf. Proteins are present only in the fruit. Conclusion: The analytical techniques used confirm the richness of this species in secondary metabolites that can confer on Arbutus unedo L. its therapeutic virtues.
... Strawberry tree leaves and fruits have been widely used in traditional medicine, since the Greek civilisation, thanks to the well-known antimicrobial, antioxidant, diuretic, antiseptic and laxative effects (Pabucçuogľu et al., 2003;Oliveira et al., 2009;Malheiro et al., 2012). The cultural value associated with the consumption of semi-wild and wild edible plants is often associated with their contribution to the local communities' health that have inherited their use (Oliveira et al., 2011b;Morales, 2022). However, the cultivation of strawberry trees has been gradually replaced by species with greater economic value, restraining its use as an ornamental plant. ...
The valorisation and conservation of plant genetic resources (PGRs) and wild fruit PGRs are critical to ensure the maintenance of genetic and cultural heritage and to promote new perspectives on resource use. New strategies to characterize PGRs are needed, and the omics approach can provide information that is still largely unknown. The Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is an underutilized, drought and fire-resistant species distributed in the Mediterranean area and its berries have large ethnobotanical use. Although their phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity are known, they are not well characterised, particularly from a proteomic perspective. The aim of this work is the characterisation of two ecotypes of A. unedo (Campania and Sicily) from a molecular viewpoint to valorise and encourage the preservation of this wild fruit. Samples were collected from two different geographical areas to assess whether different geographical conditions could influence the characteristics of leaves and fruits at the three stages of ripening (green, veraison, red). Proteomic analysis identified 904 proteins, of which 122 showed significance along the ripening. Some of these differentially abundant proteins, such as chalcone synthase, show a marked increase during ripening. The protein functional classes with the highest representation are involved in protein and amino acid metabolism, glycolysis and in secondary metabolism. From a proteomic perspective, there are no differences between the fruits from the two regions compared by the ripening stage. However, the pedoclimatic metabolic imprinting allowed the observation of good diversity in the metabolomic profiles between the two ecotypes, especially for anthocyanins, 4 times more abundant in the Sicilian veraisoned fruit than in the Campania one, and catechins, with double the abundance in the Campania ecotype compared to the Sicilian ecotype in the green phase, but more abundant (3x) in the Sicilian veraisoned fruit. Phenolic compounds show a 20% greater abundance in the Campania green arbutus fruit than in the Sicilian one, values that then equalise as ripening progresses. Multi-omic characterisation enhanced the knowledge on a wild fruit plant species which shows specific adaptations and responses to the environment to be considered when addressing the issue of local agrobiodiversity.
... In other smoothies, TA was at a comparable level, from 0.39 to 0.44 g of MA/100 g fw, T0. The high content of organic acids in A. unedo berries was also confirmed by Oliveira et al. [47]. While A. sellowiana flowers have never been investigated before for their organic acid content, their profile and content were similar to that of feijoa fruits [48]. ...
Smoothies are becoming an increasingly popular product as a healthy alternative to snacks. The consumer expects from this product that, apart from its nutritional value, it will also be qualitatively stable during storage. Therefore, in this study, original smoothies obtained with persimmon fruit puree and apple juice (Dk/Md) enriched with Arbutus unedo fruits, Myrtus communis purple berry extract, Acca sellowiana, and Crocus sativus petal juice were evaluated for their polyphenol composition, antioxidant activity, and inhibition on targeted digestive enzymes, over six months of storage. The amount of polyphenols evaluated by UPLC-PDA analysis decreased in six months from 23.5% for both Dk/Md and enriched C. sativus smoothies to 42.5% for enriched A. sellowiana, with anthocyanins the most sensitive compounds (71.7–100% loss). Values of antioxidant assays generally strongly decreased during the first three months (up to ca. 60%) and to a lesser extent in the following three months (0.4–27%). In addition, inhibitory activity on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase, especially on the last two enzymes, was negatively affected by time storage. The outcome of this study indicates that persimmon fruit is a good option for producing smoothies, and enrichment with other plant extracts can enhance the bioactive compound content and biological activities. It is recommended that appropriate storage strategies to preserve the properties of those smoothies should be developed.
... These distinctions result from the polarity of solvents used to extract the phenolic compounds. Our findings differed from those of Oliveira and colleagues from Portugal [23], who stated that the aqueous and methanol A. unedo leaf extracts contained 172.21 ± 6.29 and 149.28 ± 5.33 mg GAE/g, respectively, of total phenolics. Tannin contents in A. unedo leaves were comparable in both extracts. ...
Objectives:
Moroccan Arbutus unedo is an essential medicinal plant; however, little is known about the biological properties of its leaves mentioned in Moroccan traditional medicine.
Methods:
Various standard experiments were performed to evaluate the phytochemical, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and acute and sub-chronic toxicity characteristics of A. unedo leaves.
Results:
Phytochemical screening led to the identification of several phytochemical classes, including tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and anthraquinones, with high concentrations of polyphenols (31.83 ± 0.29 mg GAEs/g extract) and flavonoids (16.66 ± 1.47 mg REs/g extract). Further, the mineral analysis revealed high levels of calcium and potassium. A. unedo extract demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities by inhibiting α-amylase (1.350 ± 0.32 g/mL) and α-glucosidase (0.099 ± 1.21 g/mL) compared to the reference drug Acarbose. Also, the methanolic extract of the plant exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract. Precisely, three of the four examined bacterial strains exhibited substantial susceptibility to the methanolic extract . Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values indicated that A. unedo harbor abundant bactericidal compounds. For toxicological studies, mice were administered with A. unedo aqueous extract at single doses of 2,000 and 5,000 mg/kg. They did not exhibit significant abnormal behavior, toxic symptoms, or death during the 14-day acute toxicity test and the 90-day sub-chronic toxicity test periods. The general behavior, body weight, and hematological and biochemical status of the rats were assessed, revealing no toxicological symptoms or clinically significant changes in biological markers observed in the mice models, except hypoglycemia, after 90 days of daily dose administration.
Conclusion:
The study highlighted several biological advantages of A. unedo leaves without toxic effects in short-term application. Our findings suggest that conducting more comprehensive and extensive in vivo investigations is of utmost importance to identify molecules that can be formulated into pharmaceuticals in the future.
... TA was strongly correlated with malic acid, total organic acids, and total hydroxybenzoic acids (p ≤ 0.01, Table S1). As confirmed by Oliveira et al. [55], A. unedo fruits are characterized by a high content of organic acids, while A. sellowiana flowers have never been investigated before for their organic acid content, but their profile and content might be similar to that of feijoa fruits [56]. Therefore, these two semi-products proved responsible for the acidity of the enriched apple smoothies. ...
Using a multi-analytical approach, this paper aimed to investigate the effect of apple juice enrichment with Arbutus unedo and Diospyros kaki fruits, Myrtus communis berry extract, Acca sellowiana, or Crocus sativus flower by-products on both bioactive compounds content and antioxidant activity. Physico-chemical parameters, vitamin C, sugars, organic acids, total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and sensory attributes were evaluated. An LC-PDA/MS QTof analysis allowed for the identification of 80 different phenolic compounds. The highest polyphenol content (179.84 and 194.06 mg of GAE/100 g fw) and antioxidant activity (CUPRAC, 6.01 and 7.04 mmol of Fe²⁺/100 g fw) were observed in products with added A. sellowiana and D. kaki, respectively. Furthermore, the study showed a positive correlation between polymeric procyanidins and antioxidant activity (0.7646–0.8539). The addition of A. unedo fruits had a positively significant influence on the increment of vitamin C (23.68 ± 0.23 mg/100 g fw). The obtained products were attractive to consumers, especially those with 0.1% C. sativus flower juice, M. communis berry extract, and persimmon D. kaki fruits. The synergy among the different analytical techniques allowed us to obtain a complete set of information, demonstrating that the new apple smoothies were enriched in both different beneficial molecules for human health and in antioxidant activity.
... Results of previous studies suggested that arbutin, glycoside from the strawberry plant, is a potent antioxidative and cytoprotective [25,26]. Water leaves of strawberry extract has positive effects in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and inflammation, chiefly due to its diuretic, uroantiseptic and astringent properties [23,27].Also, other compounds such phenolics, flavonoids, polysaccharides and alkaloids, are known for their properties in scavenging free radicals, inhibiting lipid oxidation, improve glucose response, alleviating metabolic dysregulation of free fatty acids and insulin resistance associated with type 2 [47,50,[58][59][60]. Also, such bioactive compounds have been reported to improve damages/complications caused by many diseases including DM [61,62]. ...
... Despite the strawberry tree's many biologically benefi cial properties (OLIVEIRA et al., 2011) (edible fruit usually processed and consumed as jam, drink or honey, use in folk and mainstream medicine), pertinent studies are scarce. This is the fi rst study on strawberry tree leaf morphometrics in Greece using two natural populations that differ in altitude, latitude and therefore climate. ...
This paper investigates leaf morphology variation of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) within and between two natural contrasting populations of significant latitudinal difference (Kassandreia, Chalkidiki and Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese). This study employed 11 leaf size and shape parameters, recorded by image processing and analyzing software. The results showed that in the measurements of central tendency (parameter means) the northern population of Kassandreia presented the highest values, while in contrast the highest values in the measurements of spread were found in the southern population of Ancient Olympia. Moreover, statistically significant differences between populations were detected in leaf size, but not in leaf shape parameters. Results are discussed in the context of their value in studying quantitative population differentiation and laying the basis of more advanced studies.
... They consist of water, sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose), organic acids, proteins, and minerals. They are also rich in flavonoids, vitamins (C and E), carotenoids, phenolic acids, and non-volatile acids which are bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity associated with health benefits such as lowering risk of cancer development, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic human diseases (Oliveira et al., 2011;Miguel et al., 2014). Antioxidant compounds present in the fruits have also been associated with antimicrobial activity, thus contributing to their protection against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms (Alarcão-e-Silva et al., 2001;Pallauf et al., 2008). ...
Arbutus unedo L. is a species with great economic impact in rural areas, and its fruits have several food applications and beneficial properties on human health. However, the fruits are highly perishable, and little is known about their characteristics. The present work thus aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological parameters of Arbutus unedo L. during two consecutive years from four different samples. Microbiological analysis was conducted at different times of preservation (days 0, 4, 11, and 21) and temperatures (room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing). Six fungal strains as representatives of the most prevalent mycobiota in fruits were used for molecular identification. The fruits had aw values of 0.916 ± 0.01 to 0.930 ± 0.01, pH values of 3.81 ± 0.01 to 3.82 ± 0.01, and ºBrix values of 25.02 ± 0.49 to 28.52 ± 1.02. Microbiological analysis revealed that the predominant microbiota in fresh fruits were psychrotrophs (4.07 ± 0.25 log CFU/g), yeasts (3.39 ± 0.18 log CFU/g), mesophiles (3.26 ± 1.20 log CFU/g), and moulds (2.70 ± 0.55 log CFU/g). After a preservation period of 11 days, the microbial loads increased from 66 to 116% at 25 ± 1°C; while at 6.5 ± 1°C, the increase varied from 3 to 53%; except for moulds, for which a decrease was observed. The application of freezing temperature (21 days) showed a small increase for psychrotrophs and yeasts of 1.5 and 2.9%, respectively. The most prevalent moulds identified belonged to Rhizopus stolonifer var. stolonifer, Aspergillus carbonarius, and Penicillium brevicompactum, while yeasts belonged to Aureobasidium sp. and Saccothecium rubi.
... Results of previous studies suggested that arbutin, glycoside from the strawberry plant, is a potent antioxidative and cytoprotective [25,26]. Water leaves of strawberry extract has positive effects in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and inflammation, chiefly due to its diuretic, uroantiseptic and astringent properties [23,27].Also, other compounds such phenolics, flavonoids, polysaccharides and alkaloids, are known for their properties in scavenging free radicals, inhibiting lipid oxidation, improve glucose response, alleviating metabolic dysregulation of free fatty acids and insulin resistance associated with type 2 [47,50,[58][59][60]. Also, such bioactive compounds have been reported to improve damages/complications caused by many diseases including DM [61,62]. ...
The present study aimed to clarify the effect of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) leaves powder on some biological, biochemical and molecular parameters of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. Diabetic rats were fed treated daily with four doses (2.5, 5 , 7.5 and 10%, w/w) of strawberry leaves powder (SLP) for 28 days, and some molecular parameters for diabetic rats were fed treated daily with two doses (7.5 and 10%, w/w) of strawberry leaves powder for 24 hours ,3 days and 10 days after preliminary study. Diabetic rats exhibited significant decreases in BWG, FI, FER values and increases the relative organs (liver, kidney, heart, spleen and lungs) weight as compared to the control. Also, significant increases in blood glucose, liver functions (AST and ALT) and kidney functions (urea and creatinine) parameters in diabetic rats as compared to the control. Supplementation of the rat diets with 2.5% to 10% w/w by SLP decreased the blood glucose level and improved the hyperglycemia complications includes liver and kidneys functions. For molecular data, feeding diabetic rats with SLP caused a significant (p≤0.05) increased in the values of mean maximal optical density (MODY) of RNA as compared with control diabetic rats. Also, diabetes increase DNA damage (maximal optical density of apoptotic fragments) of liver and pancreas in rats which has been significantly improved by feeding SLP. In conclusion, date of the present study provide a basis for the use of SLP for the prevention and/or treatment of T2D instead of/beside the synthetic medications which may have unwanted side effects.
... Strawberry tree fruits, which fully ripen in autumn, are most commonly used to make marmalade, jam, or liquor [4]. The fruits exhibit antiseptic, laxative, and diuretic properties, and are used in folk medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular, urological, dermatological, and gastrointestinal problems [4,6,7]. The increased interest in replacing synthetic antioxidants from food with natural ones has supported research on plants with a high content of bioactive compounds as a source of new antioxidants. ...
The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L., Ericaceae family) is an evergreen Mediterranean shrub whose leaves and fruits are used in traditional medicine due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, diuretic, and antiproliferative properties. The health benefits are mainly attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to compare the phenolic profiles, total phenolic content (TPC), and radical scavenging activity (RSA) of A. unedo leaves and fruits collected at two locations in Croatia. Phenolic profiles were identified using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatograph (UHPLC) coupled with a hybrid mass spectrometer (LTQ Orbitrap MS). TPC was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu’s assay, while RSA was investigated using DPPH reagent. A total of 64 phenolics (60 and 42 compounds in leaves and fruits, respectively) were identified. Hyperoside and flavan-3-ols were predominant compounds in leaves, while gallocatechin and catechin were the major compounds found in fruits. To the authors’ knowledge, 16 and 5 phenolics in leaves and fruits, respectively, were reported for the first time. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that UHPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS could be used to identify which phenolics were able to discriminate samples regarding plant tissue and geographical origin. TPC in leaves and fruits were in the ranges of 67.07–104.74 and 16.78–25.86 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dried weight (dw), respectively. RSA for leaves and fruits were in the ranges of 408.92–430.98 and 74.30–104.04 μmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g dw, respectively. The number of identified phenolics was lower in fruits compared to leaves. Such a large number of bioactive phenolics identified and the strong antioxidant activity pointed to A. unedo as a promising health-promoting plant and natural food preservative.
... In recent years, the use of treatment with plants as well as the search for new substances with biological activities constitutes one of the greatest scientific concerns, leading to a thorough search for bioactive compounds, namely plant antioxidants and their importance in medicine, the food industry, and human nutrition (Oliveira et al., 2011). ...
Erodium genus contains several medicinal traditionally used and pharmacologically explored. However, Erodium guttatum has not been well valorized. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of E. guttatum extracts in addition to their toxicity. To achieve the objectives of this study, methanol and aqueous extracts of E. guttatum were prepared. Then, antibacterial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 43816, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 13932 by disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH scavenging assay, scavenging of hydrogen peroxide assay, and xanthine oxidase inhibition assay. The mineral composition was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Moreover, the polyphenol, flavonoids, and tannins contents were estimated using colorimetric methods. However, the safety of plant extracts was validated by performing acute and subacute acute toxicity. The results of this study showed that methanolic and aqueous extracts of E. guttatum contain important amounts of polyphenols (279.71 ± 0.31 and 142.03 ± 0.81 mg GAE/g extract), flavonoids (118.58 ± 0.14 and 68.25 ± 0.42 mg ER/ g extract), and tannins (61.81 ± 0.25 and 27.47 ± 0.62 mg CE/g extract) as well as a wide range of mineral elements. Additionally, the biological evaluation showed that plant extracts exhibit remarkable antioxidant, and antibacterial activities (MIC ranged between 6.25 and 100 mg/mL for aqueous extract and between 3.12 and 100 mg/mL for methanolic extract). Moreover, our findings showed that E. guttatum aqueous extract did not show toxicity. Therefore, E. guttatum could be a good source for the identification of antioxidant and antibacterial drugs. In addition, the observed findings could open new horizons on the ethnobotanical usages of E. guttatum. However, further investigations are required to identify and isolate bioactive compounds from this plant as well the investigations of their biological effects.
... It has been cultivated and harvested for centuries for food and as a natural remedy for gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases and urinary infections [9]. For example, the fruits are well known in folk medicine as an antiseptic, diuretic, and laxative [10], and the leaves are used as an astringent, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, antidiarrhea, depurative and more recently have been used to treat hypertension, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases [11]. ...
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently a major health problem and the most common chronic disease worldwide. Traditional medicinal plants remedies remain a potential adjunct therapy to maintain better glycemic control while also imparting few side-effects. Arbutus unedo L. has been traditionally used to manage several diseases including diabetes. This study was undertaken to contribute the validation of the traditional use of Arbutus unedoL. (Ericaceae) in the treatment of diabetes. Methods: In-vitro antidiabetic effect of the A. unedo roots aqueous extract was conducted using α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays. While in-vivo antidiabetic activity was conducted using streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic mice. Diabetic animals were orally administered the aqueous extract in 500 mg/kg of body weight to assess the antidiabetic effect. The blood glucose level and body weight of the experimental animals were monitored for 4 weeks. In addition, the histopathological examination of the treated mice pancreas was also conducted to observe the changes of β-cells during the treatment process. Results: The extract produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level in diabetic mice. This decrease was equivalent to that which observed in mice treated with a standard after 2-4 weeks. In addition, the plant extract exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity with IC 50 values of 730.15±0.25 μg/mL and 94.81±5.99 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the histopathologic examination of the pancreas showed a restoration of normal pancreatic islet cell architecture which observed in the diabetic mice treated with plant extract. Conclusions: The aqueous A. unedo roots extract has a significant in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effects and improves metabolic alterations. The revealed results justify its traditional medicinal use.
... These properties are due to the fruits being rich in bioactive components such as flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids [14] . Their leaves are used as an astringent, urinary antiseptic, diuretic, antidiarrhea, and depurative [16] and have also been used to treat inflammatory diseases, hypertension, and diabetes [12] . Furthermore, A. unedo roots have been used in traditional medicine practice to heal different gastrointestinal, urological, dermatologic, and cardiovascular diseases [ 17 , 18 ]. ...
Introduction: Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae) is a medicinal plant used traditionally to treat several diseases including oxidative stress related diseases and infectious diseases. However, the antimicrobial and antioxidant actions of A. unedo and its bioactive compounds have not been well studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Arbutus unedo roots extracts and to investigate the action of their major compounds.
Methods: The roots were exhaustively extracted by high-pressure static extraction using the Zippertex® technology, with different solvents (water, methanol, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane). The antioxidant activity of A. unedo root extracts were performed by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) procedures. The root extracts were tested against four reference health-damaging bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by the agar well diffusion and broth dilution assays.
Results: The results of this study showed that ethyl acetate extract of A. unedo roots have the highest contents of phenols and flavonoids with a value of 590.31±17.62 mg GAE/g extract and 47.42 ± 1.80 mg RE/g extract, respectively. Moreover, the same extract exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and half maximal effective concentration (EC50) doses of 0.02±0.01 and 0.15±0.01 mg/mL, respectively. This result is similar to those showed by ascorbic acid and quercetin. According to the broth microdilution method, the methanolic plant extract revealed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 12.5 mg/mL. This extract was the most effective against S. aureus (inhibitory zone=15.4±0.2 mm), E. coli (inhibitory zone=12.2±0.2 mm), and Salmonella (inhibitory zone=10.2±0.1 mm) revealed in the disc diffusion assay. The antibacterial activity of the extracts confirmed by the predicted results of molecular docking studies, and same amino acids in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzyme interact with both catechin and reference adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in similar modes.
Conclusion: The present data suggest that A. unedo the root extracts have potential antioxidant activity and antibacterial effect against selected bacterial strains, which may have a potential therapeutic use against oxidative stress related pathologies and infectious diseases. However, other investigations on A. unedo extracts and their bioactive compounds are needed to consider their application as nutraceuticals and functional foods.
... Principal constituents of infusions and decoctions of leaves and roots examined for their antihypertensive activity are the phenolic compounds catechin, already mentioned, catechin 3-O-gallate, epicatechin 3-O-gallate, gallic acid and arbutin ( Fig. 9) (Oliveira et al., 2011;Morgado et al., 2018). Catechin and epicatechin 3-O-gallates were proved to exert moderate inhibitory action on ACE (Liu et al., 2003), while gallic acid has been recently investigated for its antihypertensive activity in SHRs ascribed to its ability of attenuating oxidative stress (Jin et al., 2017a,b). ...
Hypertension has become the leading risk factor for worldwide cardiovascular diseases. Conventional pharmacological treatment, after both dietary and lifestyle changes, is generally proposed. In this review, we present the antihypertensive properties of phytocomplexes from thirteen plants, long ago widely employed in ethnomedicines and, in recent years, increasingly evaluated for their activity in vitro and in vivo, also in humans, in comparison with synthetic drugs acting on the same systems. Here, we focus on the demonstrated or proposed mechanisms of action of such phytocomplexes and of their constituents proven to exert cardiovascular effects. Almost seventy phytochemicals are described and scientifically sound pertinent literature, published up to now, is summarized. The review emphasizes the therapeutic potential of these natural substances in the treatment of the 'high normal blood pressure' or 'stage 1 hypertension', so-named according to the most recent European and U.S. guidelines, and as a supplementation in more advanced stages of hypertension, however needing further validation by clinical trial intensification.
... It is an evergreen shrub which is native to the France and Ireland. There are different classes of compounds are present in this plant such as terpenoids, a-tocopherol, essential oils, phenolic compounds and organic acids 31 . It is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, dermatological problems, diabetes, inflammation, hypertension etc. Mrabti H et al reported that the aqueous extract of the plant showed significant in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic effect in the streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic mice at the dose of 500 mg/kg and also it improves metabolic alternations 32 . ...
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder which is mainly characterized by hyperglycaemia and arises by the defects in insulin secretion or insulin action or both. It is categorized into two types, type-I and type-II diabetes. The risk factors that are responsible for diabetes are genetic factor, obesity, hypertension etc. Conventionally many drugs are used for the treatment of diabetes such as biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides etc. But the desired effective treatment is still not to be achieved. So researches are going on for the development of alternate effective therapy against diabetes. Medicinal plants are promising source and also very useful for the development of complimentary therapy. In India medicinal plants are widely used traditionally for the prevention and cure of diabetes. This review article consists the description of the herbs which are reported to have good antidiabetic property.
... In Europe, this species grows in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Albania, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia and in the Mediterranean islands (Balearic, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Crete). It is also able to adapt to the conditions of the south-western coast of Ireland (Torres et al., 2002;Oliveira et al., 2011a;Kim, 2012). ...
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Arbutus unedo L., (Ericaceae) is one of the most traditional plants commonly used to treat diabetes in people living in Eastern Morocco region particularly in Taza and Beni Mellal. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to find if there is a scientific support to the ethnopharmacological relevance use of Arbutus unedo L., roots bark (AU) to treat diabetes. Materials and methods: We studied the effects of crude aqueous extract of AU on intestinal glucose absorption using short-circuit current technique in vitro and oral glucose tolerance test in vivo. Results: The aqueous extract of AU (10 µg/mL to 1 mg/mL) induced concentration-dependent inhibition of sodium-dependent glucose transport across isolated mouse jejunum. The maximal inhibition was obtained with 1 mg/mL, which exhibited more than 80% of the Phloridzin inhibition with an IC 50 close to 216 µg/mL. A 6-week AU ingestion (2 g/(kg day)), improved oral glucose tolerance as efficiently as metformin (300 mg/(kg day)). Arbutus unedo L. and metformin also reduced body weight. Conclusions: Arbutus unedo L. roots bark aqueous extract directly inhibited the electrogenic intestinal absorption of glucose in vitro. In addition it improved oral glucose tolerance and lowered body weight in rats after chronic oral administration in vivo. These results add a scientific support to the ethnopharmacological relevance use of Arbutus unedo L. roots bark to treat diabetes.
... Extracts from medicinal plants constitute a source of various potentially therapeutic compounds and have long drawn attention within the biomedical field. Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves have a history of medicinal use in the Mediterranean region because of their beneficial effects in the treatment of inflammation, diabetes, and hypertension (Oliveira et al. 2011). One of the most bioactive as well as the most abundant constituents present in strawberry tree leaves is the glycoside arbutin. ...
Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves have long been used in the traditional medicine of the Mediterranean region. One of their most bioactive constituents is the glycoside arbutin, whose presence makes A. unedo suitable as a potential substitute for bearberry [Arctostaphylos uva ursi (L.) Spreng] leaves, an herbal preparation widely used for treating urinary tract infections. The safety and biocompatibility of strawberry tree water leaf extract have not yet been documented well. This study estimated arbutin content in strawberry tree water leaf extract (STE) using high performance liquid chromatography. Furthermore, we performed an in vitro safety assessment of the 24 h exposure to three presumably non-toxic concentrations of standardized STE and arbutin in human peripheral blood lymphocytes using the apoptosis/necrosis assay, the alkaline comet assay, and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay. The STE was also tested for total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation. At a concentration corresponding to the maximum allowable daily intake of arbutin, the tested extract was not cytotoxic, had a negligible potential for causing primary DNA damage and even hindered micronuclei formation in lymphocytes. It also showed a valuable antioxidant capacity, and did not exert marked lipid peroxidation. These promising results represent a solid frame for further development of STE-based herbal preparations. Although arbutin generally had a low DNA damaging potential, the slowing down of lymphocyte proliferation observed after 24 h of exposure points to a cytostatic effect, which merits further research.
... It has been cultivated and harvested for centuries for food and as a natural remedy for gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases and urinary infections [9]. For example, the fruits are well known in folk medicine as an antiseptic, diuretic, and laxative [10], and the leaves are used as an astringent, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, antidiarrhea, depurative and more recently have been used to treat hypertension, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases [11]. ...
Background
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently a major health problem and the most common chronic disease worldwide. Traditional medicinal plants remedies remain a potential adjunct therapy to maintain better glycemic control while also imparting few side-effects.
Methods
antidiabetic effect of the
Results
The extract produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level in diabetic mice. This decrease was equivalent to that which observed in mice treated with a standard after 2–4 weeks. In addition, the plant extract exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity with IC
Conclusions
The aqueous
... Although variation on photosynthetic pigment content could be expected, due to the different water inputs [35] this was not recorded, which may indicate that the antioxidant systems of leaves were able to prevented degradation of leaf chlorophyll [43]. Although no correlation was found between photosynthetic pigments and enzymatic activity, Cla and Clt concentration was positively correlated with phenolics (R = 0.539, p = 0.039), compounds with known antioxidant activity [29]. Soluble protein content of green bean leaf was significantly affected by the growth substrate. ...
The almond shell is the main by-product of almond production, and is currently a material with no important use. However, it is produced each year in considerable amounts, and finding an alternative and valuable use is of great interest. This work intends to elucidate the possibility of the addition of almond shell to growth substrates on green bean plant and its effect on leaf characteristics. Almond shell was used in a mixture of 20% shell and 80% peat (AS), and compared to the control (C) substrate, a mix of 33.3% of vermiculite and 66.6% of peat, using low and well watering conditions (50 or 100% of field capacity). The parameters that were evaluated include biochemical parameters of leaves, namely photosynthetic pigments, total phenolics and antioxidant activity, proteins, but also enzymatic activity and phytohormonal content. The addition of almond shell did not result in changes of the content of photosynthetic pigments, but led to negative changes on several of the remaining parameters, including yield, recorded enzymatic activity, ABA content and lipid peroxidation. These results indicate some deleterious effect of the addition of almond shell to growth substrates for cultivation of green bean.
... The phenolic glycoside arbutin was identified as the main bioactive compound in A. unedo leaves (Fiorentino et al., 2007;Oliveira et al., 2011) High arbutin content was also present in the Ericaceae species Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) (bearberry), well known in herbal medicine as an ancient urinary antiseptic and astringent (European Medicines Agency, 2012;Pavlovi c et al., 2009). Arbutin is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract where it begins to split up into aglycone hydroquinone and glucose by intestinal microflora under the influence of enzyme b-glucosidase (Blaut et al., 2006). ...
Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves are used in folk medicine for treating inflammation, hypertension, and diabetes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of A. unedo leaf extracts on 15 uropathogens and test the extent to which arbutin, as the most abundant bioactive compound in the leaves, is responsible for their antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts against urinary pathogenic microorganisms was tested by agar well diffusion assay and twofolded microdilution method. Since the polyphenolic content responsible for A. unedo leaves’ antimicrobial activity depends on climate and geolocation, we determined the total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid and phenolic acid content using spectrophotometric methods, arbutin and hydroquinone mass fraction using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and antioxidative activities by FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH assay. Although methanol was shown to be a more effective solvent for the extraction of polyphenols from leaves, the traditionally used aqueous extract exhibited similar antimicrobial properties. While arbutin did not show direct antimicrobial activity, its metabolite hydroquinone showed strong antimicrobial activity against the tested uropathogens. The strongest antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts was detected for uropathogenic strains of Enterococcus faecalis, which was probably associated with the ability of bacterial β-glucosidase, exerting strong activity in E. faecalis, to convert arbutin to hydroquinone. Our study suggested that the aqueous extract of strawberry tree leaves has the potential for use as a phytotherapeutic in clinical application and should be further investigated.
... All rights reserved. decoctions prepared from roots, barks, leaves and fruits (Fortalezas et al., 2010;reviewed by Miguel, Faleiro, Guerreiro, & Antunes, 2014;Oliveira, Baptista, Bento, & Pereira, 2011). Some studies have proved vasorelaxant and antiaggregant effects of A. unedo leaves extracts in human platelets (El Haouari, López, Mekhfi, Rosado, & Salido, 2007;Legssyer et al., 2004), and antihemolytic and radical scavenging activities have been characterised in leaf and fruit extracts, suggesting that A. unedo leaves are a promising source of natural antioxidants (Mendes, de Freitas, Baptista, & Carvalho, 2011;Oliveira, Coelho, Baltasar, Pereira, & Baptista, 2009). ...
The carotenoid composition of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) fruits has been characterised in detail and quantified for the first time. According to the total carotenoid content (over 340 μg/g dw), mature strawberry tree berries can be classified as fruits with very high carotenoid content (>20 μg/g dw). (all-E)-Violaxanthin and 9Z-violaxanthin were found to be the major carotenoid pigments, accounting for more than 60%, responsible for the bright colour of the flesh of ripe fruits. In addition other 5,6-epoxide carotenoids, such as (all-E)-neoxanthin, (9′Z)-neoxanthin (all-E)-antheraxanthin and lutein 5,6-epoxide, together with (all-E)-lutein, (all-E)-zeaxanthin and (all-E)-β-carotene were found at high levels (>5–20 μg/g dw). The LC–MS (APCI+) analysis of the xanthophyll fraction in their native state (direct extract) revealed that most of them (>90%) were totally esterified with saturated fatty acids (capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic and stearic). Monoesters, homodiesters and heterodiesters of (all-E)-violaxanthin and 9Z-violaxanthin were the major pigments.
... To achieve this goal, a common sclerophyllous broad-leaved Mediterranean shrub, Arbutus unedo, which typically occurs in holm oak forests, was selected. This species was chosen due to its important ecological role as a source of food for many animals [22,23], its high capacity to survive by re-sprouting after a fire [24] and its economic interest for food and pharmaceutical industries [25]. The study was carried out over a period of one year in a natural Mediterranean shrubland, with samplings being performed at the end of each season. ...
The effects of UV radiation and rainfall reduction on the seasonal leaf phenolic content/composition and antioxidant activity of the Mediterranean shrub Arbutus unedo were studied. Naturally growing plants of A. unedo were submitted to 97% UV-B reduction (UVA), 95% UV-A+UV-B reduction (UV0) or near-ambient UV levels (UVBA) under two precipitation regimes (natural rainfall or 10-30% rainfall reduction). Total phenol, flavonol and flavanol contents, levels of eight phenols and antioxidant activity [DPPH(●) radical scavenging and Cu (II) reducing capacity] were measured in sun-exposed leaves at the end of four consecutive seasons. Results showed a significant seasonal variation in the leaf content of phenols of A. unedo, with the lowest values found in spring and the highest in autumn and/or winter. Leaf ontogenetic development and/or a possible effect of low temperatures in autumn/winter may account for such findings. Regardless of the watering regime and the sampling date, plant exposure to UV-B radiation decreased the total flavanol content of leaves, while it increased the leaf content in quercitrin (the most abundant quercetin derivative identified). By contrast, UV-A radiation increased the leaf content of theogallin, a gallic acid derivative. Other phenolic compounds (two quercetin derivatives, one of them being avicularin, and one kaempferol derivative, juglanin), as well as the antioxidant activity of the leaves, showed different responses to UV radiation depending on the precipitation regime. Surprisingly, reduced rainfall significantly decreased the total amount of quantified quercetin derivatives as well as the DPPH scavenging activity in A. unedo leaves. To conclude, present findings indicate that leaves of A. unedo can be a good source of antioxidants throughout the year, but especially in autumn and winter.
... A. unedo, an evergreen wild shrub that grows in the Mediterranean region (10), contains many pharmacologically relevant polyphenols and one of its main phenolic compounds is arbutin (1,11). A. unedo leaf infusions are known to have diuretic, astringent, and uroantiseptic properties and are used in folk medicine for treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and inflammation (12)(13)(14)(15). As phenolic compounds have powerful antioxidative activity, the identification of individual compounds in leaves responsible for pharmacological activity has been the focus of interest in recent years. ...
The phenolic glycoside arbutin and its metabolite with uroantiseptic activity hydroquinone occur naturally in the leaves of various medicinal plants and spices. In this study, an extraction procedure coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed to determine arbutin and hydroquinone content in strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L., Ericaceae) leaves. The method showed good linearity (R 2 >0.9987) in the tested concentration range (0.5-200 µg mL-1), as well as good precision (RSD<5 %), analytical recovery (96.2-98.0 %), and sensitivity (limit of detection=0.009 and 0.004 µg mL-1 for arbutin and hydroquinone, respectively). The results obtained by the validated GC-MS method corresponded well to those obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The proposed method was then applied for determining arbutin and hydroquinone content in methanolic leaf extracts. The amount of arbutin in the leaves collected on the island of Koločep (6.82 mg g-1 dry weight) was found to be higher (t paired =43.57, t c =2.92) in comparison to the amount of arbutin in the leaves collected on the island of Mali Lošinj (2.75 mg g-1 dry weight). Hydroquinone was not detected in any of the samples. The analytical features of the proposed GC-MS method demonstrated that arbutin and hydroquinone could be determined alternatively by gas chromatography. Due to its wide concentration range, the method could also be suitable for arbutin and hydroquinone analysis in leaves of other plant families (Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, etc.).
... This shrub has long been used in traditional medicine in all Mediterranean countries, as infusions and decoctions of all parts of the plant: leaves, fruit, peels and roots. They are used to treat gastrointestinal and urological disorders, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and diabetes (Oliveira et al., 2011). The fruits of Arbutus unedo L. are rich in sugars, vitamins, organic acids and phenolic compounds. ...
In Algeria, wild berries Arbutus unedo L, known as "lendj" remain unexploited and little studies have been
devoted to it. The presented work aims to study the physicochemical and nutritional characteristics of this fruit,
The Arbtus unedo L. fruits are acidic (pH = 3.4 ± 0.005), rich in dietary fiber (18.63% ± 0.212) and polyphenols
(21.13 mg GAE / g ± 0.03) and are an important source of vitamin C (527.21 mg / 100g) and malic acid (282.3 mg / 100g),
but low in fat (0.68 ± 0.127%) and pectin (0.084% ± 0.002.
The growing locations of plants may affect product quality adversely in several ways. Fruits containing a different percentage of chemicals may cause adverse physicochemical properties. This study, it was evaluated certain physicochemical properties of fruits obtained from Strawberry Tree fruits (Arbutus andrachne L.) which were collected from four different geographical locations of stands that are managed Regional Directorate of Forestry. A considerable physicochemical difference was found among the fruit samples. The highest color differences among samples were found with sample IV (ΔE: 15.4), followed by sample I (ΔE: 15.1), sample III (ΔE: 7.6) and sample II (ΔE: 3.6), respectively. However, the size properties (diameter and weight) of samples also show some variations. The highest average diameter (12.42 mm) and weight (1.13 g) with a sugar content of 33.81 °Bx were found to be in sample I. The sugar content difference is realizable result was found to be high at lower diameters but at higher weights. Moreover, the total existence of 43 essential oil compounds is determined for sample I and 35 compounds for sample IV, while 31 of them are similar, which represents 97.07% for sample I and 91.78% for sample IV. These values may be a good indication of the geographical locations of the physicochemical properties of fruits of A. andrachne.
Yetişme ortamları bitkilerden elde edilen ürünlerin kalitesine birçok yönden etkileyebilir. Farklı oranlarda kimyasal madde içeren meyveler, özelliklerin farklı olmasına neden olabilir. Bu çalışmada, Isparta Orman Bölge Müdürlüğü yetki alanındaki dört farklı coğrafi bölgeden toplanan Çilek Ağaçlarından (Arbutus andrachne L.) toplanan meyvelerin bazı özellikleri incelenmiştir. Meyve örnekleri arasında önemli fizikokimyasal farklılıklar bulunmuştur. Numuneler arasında en yüksek renk farklı numune IV (ΔE: 15,4) ile ve daha sonra sırasıyla numune I (ΔE: 15,1), numune III (ΔE: 7,6) ve numune II (ΔE: 3,6) de gözlemlenmiştir. Ancak meyvelerin boyut özellikleri (çap ve ağırlık) bazı farklılıklar göstermektedir. En yüksek ortalama çap (12,42 mm) ve ağırlık (1,13 g) ile birlikte şeker içeriği 33,81 °Bx ile numune I'de hesaplanmıştır. Numuneler arasında şeker oranı, fark edilebilir olarak daha düşük çapa sahip fakat daha yüksek ağırlığa sahip meyvelerde hesaplanmış, çap artışı ile ağırlık azalması arasında ilişki gözlemlenmiştir. Ayrıca, numune I için 43 ve numune IV için 35 uçucu yağ bileşiği tespit edilmiş, bunlardan 31'inin her iki meyve örneklerinde de olduğu anlaşılmıştır. Bu ortak bileşikler, toplam uçucu yağ oranının numune I için %97.07’ini numune IV için ise %91,78’ini oluşturduğu hesaplanmıştır. Bu çalışmada elde edilen verilerden, A. andrachne meyvelerinin fizikokimyasal özelliklerinin, coğrafi yetişme ortamlarının açıklanması bakımından bir gösterge olabileceği olarak değerlendirilmiştir.
Hyperglycemia is the primary symptom of diabetes, a metabolic condition caused by impaired insulin production, insulin action, or both. There are two main subtypes of diabetes: type I and type II. Genetic predisposition, excess body fat, high blood pressure, and other similar variables all contribute to the development of diabetes. Many diabetic medications, including biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, etc., are now available for conventional use. However, we have yet to reach the point where we can cure people effectively. This is why scientists are actively seeking for new methods of treating diabetes. The study and application of medicinal plants holds great promise for the future of complementary treatment. Traditional diabetes treatment and management in India often include the use of medicinal herbs. Herbs with potentially beneficial effects on diabetes are discussed in this review article.
The island of Korcula is located in the south Adriatic Sea and is rich in native flora, with
many wild fruit species. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of wild fruit
species on the island of Korcula that bear fruit in winter, and the diameter of the fruit. It was found that in the localities studied, the plants that bear fruit in December and early January are myrtle, dog rose, strawberry tree, hawthorn and blackthorn. The presence of a large number of wild fruits in winter can serve in the development of the creation of new products, as a supplement to the tourist offer outside the main season and as a valuable plant material in landscape architecture.
Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi fizikalno-kemijska svojstva, sadržaj bioaktivnih spojeva i nutritivni potencijal dvaju proizvoda planike: džema i vodene infuzije listova. Način pripreme džema varira postupkom pasiranja: nepasirani (NP1) i pasirani džem (P2). Džem tretmana NP1 imao je značajno viši sadržaj ukupne i topljive suhe tvari te višu pH- vrijednost u usporedbi s P2. Također, tretman pasiranja utjecao je i na promjenu boje gotovog proizvoda prilikom čega je za džem P2 utvrđeno svjetlije crveno, a džem NP1 tamnije crveno obojenje. Postupak pasiranja pridonio je povećanju sadržaja pojedinih bioaktivnih spojeva u P 2, p rilikom č ega j e u d žemu t retmana P 2 utvrđen 17% viši sadržaj vitamina C, značajno viši sadržaj polifenolnih spojeva kao i viši antioksidacijski kapacitet u usporedbi s NP1. No, oko 3 puta viši sadržaj β-karotena utvrđen je u NP1 džemu. Također, iz analize vodene infuzije listova vidljiv je visok sadržaj bioaktivnih spojeva, a posebice ukupnih fenola (715,79 mg GAE/100 g svježe tvari). Temeljem svega, može se zaključiti kako oba proizvoda obične planike pokazuju visok nutritivni potencijal i značajnu funkcionalnu vrijednost, a time predstavljaju zdravstveno vrijedne proizvode široke mogućnosti upotrebe.
Arbutus unedo L. plant is a member of the Ericaceae family and is green evergreen shrub. Fatty acid levels of Arbutus unedo L. plant fruit was determined as polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) 50.13%, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) 19.21%, unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) 69.34% and saturated fatty acid (SFA) 29.56%. The basic fatty acid content of Arbutus unedo L. plant fruit was determined as 16.77% Cis 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3), 16.43% α-linolenic acid (18:3n3), 15.39% Linoleic acid (18:2n6c), 10.05% Palmitic acid (16:0) and 9.27% Oleic acid (18:1n9c). PUFA levels of Arbutus unedo L. plant fruit was observed that is higher than MUFA and SFA fatty acids.
The knowledge on the hygroscopic equilibrium of powders is an average to maintain the moisture content at the levels suitable for safe storage. Presently, the experimental sorption curves of lyophilized Arbutus unedo L. fruit powder (LP), determined at 20, 30 and 40 °C with the standard static-gravimetric method, were fitted to six isotherm models (Kühn, Caurie, Smith, Halsey, Oswin and GAB). The Halsey model best fits the experimental data with the mean relative percentage deviation modulus (E%) < 1%, χ² ≤ 1.68 10⁻³ and a root mean square error ((RMSE) ≤ 1.081 10⁻²). The Clausius-Clapeyron equation was used to evaluate the net isosteric heat (Qst) of water adsorption through the Halsey model in the studied temperature range. Qst and the differential entropy values decreases trongly as the moisture content increase, varying from 6.771 to 52.337 kJ mol⁻¹and from 18.942 to 151.4 k J mol⁻¹, respectively, and could be well adjusted by an empirical exponential relationship. The value of Gibbs free energy is found to be (−1.251 k J mol⁻¹). Such data represent a useful tool for choosing appropriate storage conditions of LP.
Background and aims:
To investigate the evolution of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) in a delimited area of Southern Italy, by comparing the diet adopted 60-70 years ago (Prototypical Mediterranean Diet, PMD) with the contemporary one (Contemporary Mediterranean Diet, CMD), and to verify to what extent they fitted the recommendations of the Italian and the USDA dietary guidelines.
Methods:
We recruited a total of 106 participants, divided in two groups. PMD group included 52 women aged >80 years, with a good cognitive function and full independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living. CMD group included 20 men and 34 women aged 50-60 years. Food intake was assessed by administering the EPIC food frequency questionnaire to each participant, and an additional survey to the PMD subjects only.
Results:
Both PMD and CMD showed adequate intakes of macronutrients, although some deficiencies related to micronutrient requirements were evident. CMD showed a slightly greater use of animal products, processed and sugary foods, and higher intakes of simple sugars, animal proteins (49.6 vs 28.3 g/day), animal lipids (37.8 vs 20.1 g/day), saturated fats (25.0 vs 15.8 g/day) and cholesterol (305.0 vs 258.5 g/day). PMD showed many similarities to the original version of the MD in terms of macronutrients distribution and food choices.
Conclusion:
The documented evolution of the dietary habits over a 70 years timespan suggests that nowadays Mediterranean regions adhere less strictly to the original MD, although nutrients intakes are adequate to LARN and USDA recommendations.
The typical profile of the free amino acids contained in strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey is reported for the first time. An optimized reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) method with phenyl isothiocyanate precolumn derivatization was used. Fourteen free amino acids were identified and quantified in 16 analytical samples. Proline (65.63) was found to be the most abundant free amino acid, followed by glutamic acid (6.49), arginine (5.21), alanine (5.17), and phenylalanine (4.97). The total free amino acid content of strawberry-tree honey (average value, 436 mg/kg) was found to be low in comparison to amounts cited in the literature concerning unifloral honeys. The analytical method was optimized and fully validated in terms of detection and quantitation limits, precision (by testing repeatability and reproducibility), linearity, and bias (by means of recovery tests). The acceptability of the validation protocol results was verified using Horwitz's mathematical model and AOAC guidelines.
The water, ethanol and n-hexane extracts from Arbutus unedo leaves have been evaluated for antimicrobial activities. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts are reported against Escherichia coli ATCC 29998, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Salmonella thyphimurium CCM 5445, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 as bacteria and Candida albicans ATCC 10239 as yeast by using the disc diffusion method. It is observed that ethanol extract showed activity against Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria. None of the tested extracts showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10239.
Essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from flower and fruit of Arbutus unedo growing in Turkey were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Forty-nine compounds, representing around 95% of the total oils were identified. Non-terpenoids hydrocarbons were shown to be the main group of constituents of the flower and fruit part of the plant in the ratio of 62.2 and 92.8%, respectively. The major component in the essential oil of the flower was α-terpineol (16.3%) and the main compound in the essential oil of the fruit was hexadecanoic acid (21.7%). The antimicrobial activity of the isolated essential oils of the flower and fruit were also investigated and it showed moderate antibacterial activity against Listeria monocitogenes and Enterococcus faecalis.
Water-distilled essential oil from leaves ofArbutus unedoL. of Turkish origin was analyzed by GC/MS. Thirty-seven constituents were characterized with (E)-2-decenal (12.0 %), a-terpineol (8.8 %), hexadecanoic acid (5.1 %), and (E)-2-undecenal ( 4.8 %) as the major constituents.
An extract fraction fruits of Arbutus unedo, L., was cleaned-up by column chromatography and shown by NMR to be a mixture of isomers that resists further attempts at separation by conventional chromatographic methods. High resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS) confirms the presence of triter-penoid isomers but does not allow separation of all the components. This can be improved by trimethylsilylation but the absence of molecular ions and the complex spectra are difficult to interpret. Complete separation can be achieved by high pressure liquid chro-matography (HPLC) coupled to a mass spectrometer by means of a particle beam interface (HPLC-PBMS). Four triterpene com-pounds are identified through analysis of the corresponding mass spectra: α-amyrin, β-amyrin, and Lupeol, have for the first time been identified in Arbutus unedo, L. Fruits. A new natural triterpene tentatively identified as olean-12-en-3β, 23-diol is described for the first time.
Arbutus unedoL. communities in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) were studied, highlighting the differences regarding their floristic composition, biological diversity and plant dynamics according to the dominant geological substratum. Firstly, this type of formation on the little-known decarbonated calcareous substrata was analysed using classification techniques. Later, they were compared to the remaining phytocoenoses in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula using an ordination analysis. As a result, a new suballiance is proposed together with two plant associations, which will enable us to characterize the strawberry tree groves growing on carbonated substrata and those already proposed for siliceous substrata are confirmed.
Arbutus unedo L. is a species of strawberry tree, widely represented in the Mediterranean climates of southern Europe. Fruits are used
to make jellies and a spirit called “medronheira.” Shoot apices and nodal segments from epicormic and coppiced shoots of adult
plants were used for plant propagation. Shoot apices from epicormic shoots, which were developed in a growth chamber, showed
higher rates of in vitro establishment. The results also indicated that shoot apices are more effective for plant establishment than nodal segments,
with rates of establishment significantly higher after 12wk of culture. Of the three basal media used in combination with
9.0µM benzyladenine and 0.087M sucrose, the FS medium with the micronutrients of the Murashige and Skoog medium gave the
highest rates of multiplication, especially when the parameter analyzed was the number of clusters formed. When shoot apices
from selected adult plants (AL01–AL06) were tested, the multiplication rate was not significantly different among the plants.
However, in the conditions tested, shoots from the clones AL1, AL2, and AL3 showed better development, whereas shoots from
AL4, AL5, and AL6 showed an impaired development and could not be rooted. Rooting was achieved in all the conditions tested,
even in the absence of auxin. The inclusion of an auxin significantly increased root formation, whereas the addition of charcoal
did not improve root formation. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized, and some of them are now in the field for further study.
The fruits of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) are consumed mainly as processed product, but may be a good source of antioxidants if consumed as fresh fruit. The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify the antioxidant components present in strawberry tree fruits, including flavonoids, vitamins C and E and carotenoids. The fruits are a very good source of antioxidants precisely because they have a high flavonoid content (32.37 mg/100 g edible portion) and, within this group of antioxidant compounds, proanthocyanidins are the most abundant, representing more than 80% of the total flavonoid contents. Anthocyanins are also present as glycosides of cyanidin and delphinidin, with cyanidin-3-galactoside the most abundant. Other antioxidants present in this fruit were ellagic acid and its diglucoside derivative. Vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids were also identified and quantified.
An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Arrabida Natural Park, a Portuguese Protected Area in the Southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, with an area of 10 820 ha. Working with 72 local people, data on medicinal uses of 156 taxa, belonging to 56 botanical families, were obtained and presented, of which 214 uses corresponding to 81 taxa were previously unreported.
Berries contain significant amounts of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, which are reported to reduce cancer risk, coronary heart disease and other degenerative diseases. These effects are mainly attributed to the antioxidant capacity of polyphenols found in berries. Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) berries are used in folk medicine but seldom eaten as fresh fruits. Their phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity reveal a high potential, but they are not well characterized as a "health promoting food". The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant properties of the edible strawberry tree fruit in vitro and in a neurodegeneration cell model. Raspberry (Rubus idaeus), a well documented health-promoting fruit, was used as a control for comparison purposes. A. unedo yielded a similar content in polyphenols and a slightly lower value of total antioxidant capacity in comparison to R. idaeus. Although the chemically-measured antioxidant activity was similar between both fruits, R. idaeus increased neuroblastoma survival in a neurodegeneration cell model by 36.6% whereas A. unedo extracts caused no effect on neuroblastoma viability. These results clearly demonstrate that a promising level of chemically-determined antioxidant activity of a plant extract is not necessarily correlated with biological significance, as assessed by the effect of A. unedo fruit in a neurodegeneration cell model.
The typical profile of the free amino acids contained in strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey is reported for the first time. An optimized reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) method with phenyl isothiocyanate precolumn derivatization was used. Fourteen free amino acids were identified and quantified in 16 analytical samples. Proline (65.63%) was found to be the most abundant free amino acid, followed by glutamic acid (6.49%), arginine (5.21%), alanine (5.17%), and phenylalanine (4.97%). The total free amino acid content of strawberry-tree honey (average value, 436 mg/kg) was found to be low in comparison to amounts cited in the literature concerning unifloral honeys. The analytical method was optimized and fully validated in terms of detection and quantitation limits, precision (by testing repeatability and reproducibility), linearity, and bias (by means of recovery tests). The acceptability of the validation protocol results was verified using Horwitz's mathematical model and AOAC guidelines.
The seasonal pattern of terpene content and emission by seven Mediterranean woody species was studied under field conditions. Emission rates were normalized at 30°C and 1000 μmol·m·s PFD (photosynthetic photon flux density). Bupleurum fruticosum, Pinus halepensis, and Cistus albidus stored large amounts of terpenes (0.01-1.77% [dry matter]) with maximum values in autumn and minimum values in spring. They emitted large amounts of terpenes (2-40 μg·g DM·h), but with no clear seasonal trend except for Cistus albidus, which had maximum values in spring and minimum values in autumn. The nonstoring species Arbutus unedo, Erica arborea, Quercus coccifera and Quercus ilex also emitted large amounts of terpenes (0-40 μg·g DM·h) and also tended to present maximum emission rates in spring, although this trend was significant only for A. unedo. At the seasonal scale, emission rates did not follow changes in photosynthetic rates; instead, they mostly followed changes in temperature. From autumn to spring, the least volatile monoterpenes such as limonene were emitted at highest rates, whereas the most volatile monoterpenes such as α-pinene and β-pinene were the most emitted in summer. The monoterpene emission rates represented a greater percentage of the photosynthetic carbon fixation in summer (from 0.51% in Arbutus unedo to 5.64% in Quercus coccifera) than in the rest of the seasons. All these seasonality trends must be considered when inventorying and modeling annual emission rates in Mediterranean ecosystems.
In order to make an inventory of herbal remedies commonly used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and renal diseases in the North centre region of Morocco, 1527 patients (1095 diabetic patients, 274 with renal disorders and 158 with cardiac disorders) and 25 traditional herbal healers were interviewed in four different areas of Fez-Boulemane region. More than 1153 of the total patients interviewed (76%) used regularly medicinal plants to treat diabetes, cardiac and renal diseases. These data showed that phytotherapy has always be practiced in this region. All the persons interviewed have indicated that the reasons of using phytotherapy is that the plant medicines are cheapest (54%) and more efficient (38%) than modern medicine. They also reported that the result of phytotherapy is better (72%). Our survey started at May 1997. About 90 plants were cited (54 plants for diabetes, 11 for cardiac diseases, 19 for hypertension and 33 for renal diseases). The plants reported have been identified and are presented in a table with the vernacular name, useful parts, ecological distribution and medicinal uses. Only 12% of the total patients have a relative knowledge of the toxic plants. The result indicated that nine plants are extremely toxic at high doses and chronic treatment. Fifty nine percent of the interviewers have indicated that they used medicinal plants from the experience of the other.
Using GC-MS, phenolic and non-volatile acids and soluble sugars were identified and quantified in strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) fruits. The phenolic acids quantified were gallic (10.7 mg/g dry weight), gentisic (1.9 mg/g), protocatechuic (0.6 mg/g), p -hydroxybenzoic (0.3 mg/g), vanillic (0.12 mg/g) and m -anisic (0.05 mg/g). From the group of non-volatile acids, fumaric (1.94 mg/g dry weight), lactic (0.84 mg/g), malic (0.84 mg/g), suberic (0.23 mg/g) and citric acids were found. Fructose, glucose, sucrose and maltose were the soluble sugars identified and quantified in the amount of 27.8, 21.5, 1.8 and 1.11% dry weight, respectively. Fructose and glucose among the sugars, fumaric and malic acids among the non-volatile acids and gallic acid among the phenolic acids were found to be major compounds contributing the taste of the fruits.
This text is a comprehensive reference covering the chemistry, physiology, chemotaxonomy, biotechnology and food technology aspects of the anthocyanins. Topics discussed include types of anthocyanins, structural transformations, colour stabilization and intensification factors, biosynthesis and intensification factors, biosynthesis, analysis and functions of anthocyanins. An in-depth review of the literature discussing anthocyanins of fruits, cereals, legumes, roots, tubers, bulbs, cole crops, oilseeds, herbs, spices, and minor crops is included as well.
The seasonal pattern of non-terpenoid C6–C10 VOC emission by seven Mediterranean woody species (Bupleurum fruticosum, Cistus albidus, Pinus halepensis, Arbutus unedo, Erica arborea, Quercus coccifera, and Q. ilex) was studied under field conditions. Branch chamber samples were sorbed on carbotrap and analyzed by thermal desorption in combination with GC–MS. These non-terpenoid C6–C10 VOC emissions were large, almost of similar magnitude to those of terpenes. Overall, maximum values were recorded in spring and summer (up to 12μgg−1DMh−1 in Q. ilex) and minimum values in autumn and winter (up to 5μgg−1DMh−1 in Q. ilex). These C6–C10 VOC emissions represented 2.82% of the photosynthetic C fixation in summer and 0.22% in winter. Some compounds such as 2-ethoxyethyl acetate were emitted by most species, others such as 3-hexen-1-ol, phenol or decanal were significantly emitted only by few species. The greatest diversity of emitted non-terpenoid C6–C10 VOCs was observed in spring and in Q. ilex. Temperature seemed a strong driver of these seasonal changes but other species-specific and seasonal factors seem involved. These results indicate that C6–C10 non-terpenoid VOCs contribute a rather significant fraction of the total biogenic VOC flux from these Mediterranean species, especially in spring and summer, and therefore should be considered in VOC emission inventories and in model predictions of tropospheric chemistry.
Eighteen tree and shrub species were screened for emissions of isoprene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at three locations at Castelporziano (Italy) using a bag-enclosure sampling method followed by GC analysis. Thirty emitted compounds were identified. Temperature sensitivity of emissions of monoterpenes varied between species. Strong temperature dependencies were found for isoprene emissions. For monoterpene-emitting plant species with greatest ground cover in the dunes and macchia habitats, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and sabinene appeared to be the most frequently and abundantly emitted compounds. Isoprene was the major emission from the shrub species screened in the forest. Emissions from four dominant plant species were scaled up to estimate total fluxes from the dunes and macchia over a daytime period. Species with greatest biomass but low emission rates made a substantial contribution to total emissions. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of molecules
commonly present in many Mediterranean foods. A series of interesting systems, including tyrosol,
hydroxytyrosol, gallic, and caffeic acids, belonging to the family of phenols, resveratrol of the stilbenes family,
epicatechin, kaempferol, and cianidin as examples of flavonoids and, at last, a simplified model of R-tocopherol
(6-hydroxy-2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman (HPMC)) were studied. Conformational behavior was examined
at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p) level of theory, in the gas phase and in two solvents with different polarity
(water and benzene), with the aim to compute the bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) for the O-H bonds and
the adiabatic ionization potentials (IP). BDE and IP for these systems do not follow the same trends in gas
and solution phases: the major differences with respect to vacuum are found as when water computations are
performed. On the basis of the computed BDE and IP values, the most active systems able to transfer an
H-atom seem to be R-tocopherol followed by hydroxytyrosol, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and epicatechin. Instead, kaempferol and resveratrol appear to be the best candidates for an electron-transfer mechanism.
This study aims at the determination of some physical and chemical characteristics of strawberry-tree fruit (Arbutus unedo L.), a typical Mediterranean climate species, namely of the Portuguese region of Algarve. It intends to be a contribution to its valorization and other applications following research by other scientists and local development associations as far as a better quality of alcoholic distillate of arbutus berry is concerned. Arbutus berry appears to be a good source of vitamins, namely niacin, ascorbic acid and beta -carotene (content of 9.1, 346.3 and 70.9 mg/100 g, respectively), organic acids (nearly 9%), total sugars (c. 42%) and tannins (1.75 mg g(-1)).
a b s t r a c t Arbutus unedo L. is a Mediterranean shrub used in the production of jams, marmalades and beverages, as well as in traditional medicine. In this work, the effect of ripening on the volatile compounds of the fruits of A. unedo was evaluated, using headspace-solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatog-raphy/ion trap-mass spectrometry. Alcohols are the main component of the volatile fraction of A. unedo fruits, followed by aldehydes and esters. The main volatile compounds identified were (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal and hexyl acetate, all formed through the lipoxygenase pathway (LOX). The green odours are progressively replaced during ripening by floral and sweet sensations, due to the decrease in alcohols, aldehydes and esters, resulting in the unmasking of the aromas associated with the minor compounds (mainly monoterpenes and norisoprenoid compounds) that compose A. unedo fruits.
Arbutus unedo is a widespread shrub with economic importance, derived from the use of its berries in the production of alcoholic beverages and in folk medicine. This work intends to evaluate for the first time the effect of fruit ripening stage on antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, fatty acid profile and tocopherol composition. Ripe fruits shown higher extraction yield (45.04 ± 2.23%) when compared to other fruit ripening stages. By contrast, total phenol contents were higher in the unripe and intermediate stage of ripeness (108 and 111 mg GAES/g dry fruit, respectively, against 60 mg/g dry fruit when ripe). Ripe and intermediate fruits shown the lower EC 50 values on the DPPH radicals (0.25 ± 0.02 mg/mL) and reducing power assay (1.09 ± 0.05 mg/mL), respectively. A significant correlation was established between antioxidant activity and fruits ripening stage. Fatty acid profiles were very similar between the ripening stages, being alfa-linolenic, linoleic and oleic, the three major ones. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) represent as much as 60% of the total fatty acids, with a highly favorable omega 3/omega 6 ratio. From the analysis of the vitamin E vitamers, the most important was γ-tocotrienol, with a clear reduction in the total free vitamin E content with ripening. These results highlight that the fruits of intermediate ripeness can be regarded important sources of biologically active compounds with a fatty acid profile rich in omega-3 PUFA, properly supplemented with high vitamin E amounts.
In order to examine the effect of Arbutus unedo extract on the development of genetic hypertension, three groups of six male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) from 4 to 10 weeks of age, received orally an aqueous extract of the root of this Ericaceae plant at doses of 5, 50 and 250 mg/kg/24 h. The fourth group (n = 6) received tap water only and served as a control.A significant (p < 0.01) reduction of indirect systolic blood pressure (BP) was observed after 4 weeks of treatment with the two highest doses but this effect attenuated 2 weeks later. The continuous measurement of direct BP in conscious 10-week-old rats indicated that chronic treatment with Arbutus did not significantly alter the BP level, the heart rate (HR), the cardiac baroreflex sensitivity and the sympathetic nervous and renin– angiotensin system activities. In contrast, Arbutus (50 mg/kg/24 h) attenuated the pressor responses to phenylephrine and angiotensin I. Finally, a diuretic effect was evidenced in the group receiving the highest dose.It is concluded that chronic oral administration of Arbutus unedo slowly delayed the development of hypertension but did not alter the final level of BP and HR in the SHR. The vascular and renal effects of this plant, which may account for its use in folk medicine, require a more detailed analysis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ethanol and acetone/water extracts of Cistus ladanifer and Arbutus unedo L. were characterised concerning the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, presenting relatively high values when compared with other species described in the literature. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method in terms of EC50, using trolox as standard reference. The extracts of both species showed scavenging activity for the DPPH radical.Extracts bioactivities were also tested by the evaluation of the viability effects on human fibroblasts primary culture cells. Viability studies were performed by MTT method. Both extracts are bioactive; C. ladanifer extracts were associated with an inhibitory effect and A. unedo L. were associated with an induced effect on cells viability.
Epidemiological data indicate a beneficial effect of Mediterranean diets on human health, especially on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. These observations are supported by recent intervention studies. However, very little is known about the current role of local Mediterranean food products, which are consumed on a less regular basis and their contribution to a healthy diet. The European consortium "Local Food-Nutraceuticals" collected 127 locally consumed wild or semi-wild plants in three Mediterranean countries, i.e. Greece, Italy, and Spain, in order to assess their ethnobotanical features as well as their biological activities. The project also includes a second line of research, the study of local conceptions about these food resources. All pharmacological assays were conducted with ethanolic extracts prepared from the dried plant material. The biological activities of the extracts were assessed with the following 12 different assays covering a broad range of mechanisms considered crucial in the pathology of chronic, aging-related diseases. Four antioxidant tests: DPPH scavenging, prevention of oxyhaemoglobin bleaching, prevention of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde formation), and protection from DNA damage (Comet assay); three enzyme inhibition tests: inhibition of xanthine oxidase, inhibition of myeloperoxidase-catalysed guaiacol oxidation as well as the inhibition of acetylcholine esterase; one test investigating the inhibition of cytokine-induced cell activation (including the extracts' potential cytotoxicity); one assay measuring the anti-proliferation potential; one test assessing the anti-diabetic activity (PPAR) as well as one assay investigating the extracts' effect on mood disorder-related biochemical parameters (hSERT). Furthermore, the polyphenol content of all extracts was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteaus method. The assays revealed diverse biological effects for the tested extracts ranging from no activity to almost complete inhibition/activation. Moreover, the experimental matrix led to the identification of a sub-set of extracts, i.e. Berberis vulgaris, Reichardia picroides, Scandix australis, Satureja montana, Thymus piperella, Lythrum salicaria and Vitis vinifera, showing high activity in a broad range of assays. In summary, the in vitro observed modulations and effects exerted by extracts derived from local food plants suggest that these plants may contribute to the observed better aging of rural Mediterranean populations.
Suggestions that oxidative stress plays a role in human diseases have led to the proposal that health might be improved by
increased dietary intake of antioxidants. Plant-derived antioxidants, such as flavonoids or rosemary extracts, are increasingly
proposed as important dietary antioxidant factors, and foods rich in antioxidants are also receiving attention. Before widescale
usage of natural and synthetic antioxidants can be suggested, it is necessary to establish the properties of such molecules.
Assays for characterizing the potential prooxidant/antioxidant actions of food additives, antioxidant supplements, antioxidant
drug molecules, and nutrient components have been developed for this purpose.
These days, the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), which is a comparatively under-utilized fruit tree species, has attracted attention because of many different possible commercial usages such as for processed and fresh fruit production and ornamental, the pharmaceutical and chemical industrial applications. They are disappearing from the natural flora for many reasons such as their being cut down for fire-wood and structuring on natural vegetation. A selection program was carried out with the aim of selecting strawberry tree genotypes of high quality from the native strawberry tree population grown in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey. A total of 51 genotypes were evaluated in the program, in 2003 and 2004. The aims of the selection program were focused on fruit pomological characteristics such as fruit weight, total soluble solid, acidity, fruit taste, stoniness, juiciness, roughness and appearance. The data regarding pomological characteristics was evaluated by the Weighted Rankit method. The highest overall score for the characteristics tested was from genotype 57A01 followed by 57A15, 57GÇ08, 57A22 and 57A07, respectively. Their fruit weight was 11.08, 6.17, 6.30, 6.95 and 8.06 g, respectively. TSS contents and acidity of them varied from 21.4 to 30.0% and 0.80 to 1.59%, respectively. Phenological characteristics such as first bloom, fruit set and harvest date and some other fruit, flower and leaf characteristics of selected A. unedo genotypes were also determined. Vitamin C content of the samples varied from 97.83 to 280.00 mg/100 g. Finally, five superior strawberry tree genotypes were selected from the samples we studied for extensive cultivation and thus they were also saved from extinction.
Nutrition and physical properties were established in developing Arbutus unedo L. Fruits from Mersin (Lapa-Gülnar) to investigate potential uses. Completely maturated fruits ash, crude oil, crude energy, crude fiber, crude protein, water soluble extract, ether-soluble extract, alcohol-soluble extract, dimethyl sulfite (DMS), essential oil content and minerals including K, P, Ca, Na and Fe. Also, physical properties such as length, mass, sphericity, fruit density, bulk density, porosity, projected area and terminal velocity were measured. The values of mass, length, diameter, geometric mean diameter and sphericity of strawberry fruit established as 0.70 g, 8.51 mm, 10.7 mm, 9.91 mm and 1.17, respectively. At the same moisture content, fruit density, bulk density, projected area and terminal velocity were determined as 1146.43 kg/m3, 602.23 kg/m3, 0.976 cm2 and 9.46 m/s, respectively. The coefficient of dynamic friction decreased compared with the coefficient of static friction of fruits.
Koumaria is the common name of the bushy shrub Arbutus unedo L., also known as the strawberry tree. Its fruits are round, fleshy and red colored at full maturity. They are mainly used for the production of an aromatic traditional distillate, named Koumaro. To gain a better understanding of this product, we gathered information regarding its traditional production process and we analyzed volatile substances by gas chromatography (GC) according to the official method of the Office International de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV), mineral compounds by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), sugar content of the fruit and pH level using standard methods.The fruit of Koumaria has a high mean sugar content of 24.6 °Brix, while its distillate has an alcoholic title with a mean value of 39.4% vol, but with great variations. Methanol content, generally, is lower than the limit of 1000 g/hL. Absolute alcohol (AA) and the higher alcohol values satisfy the qualitative demands of 140 g/hL AA. Isovaleric acid was found in high concentrations compared to other fruit distillates. Substances which can cause health hazards (e.g., estragol) or organoleptic faults (e.g., acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate, diethyl succinate) were lower than their respective limits or thresholds. Furthermore, the very low concentrations of Cu, Pb along with Ca and Fe indicate the good maintenance of the alembics and do not pose a threat to consumer safety.Since great variations in composition were observed, a better standardization process is required to achieve better control of the levels of the above compounds as well as the ethanol concentration, which was found to vary in many distillates. Areas where better quality control should be applied are the quality of the fruit, the fermentation and storage process, the distillation and the good condition of the equipment.
The antioxidative and superoxide- and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activities and pro-oxidant effect of twelve selected medicinal herbs were studied. The aqueous extracts of Coptis chinensis, Paeonia suffruticosa, Prunella vulgaris and Senecio scandens exhibited the highest potency in inhibiting rat erythrocyte hemolysis and lipid peroxidation in rat kidney and brain homogenates. The aforementioned four herbs also demonstrated strong superoxide- and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, but exerted only a slight pro-oxidant effect.
In order to characterize and authenticate the aromatic profile of strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey, a dynamic headspace (DHS) extraction, followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, was performed on 10 Sardinian strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey samples. A total of 28 aroma compounds were identified, but only norisoprenoid compounds such as α-isophorone, β-isophorone and 4-oxoisophorone, were recognized as specific floral origin markers of the strawberry-tree honey. The α-isophorone/β-isophorone ratio varied from 4 to 8, whereas the α-isophorone/4-oxoisophorone ratio was found to range from 11 to 20. The DHS extraction method was proposed as a valid alternative to pollen analysis for floral source detection, especially for products like strawberry-tree honey, characterized by a low pollen content.
The chemical composition and biological properties of three wild fruits (strawberry-tree berries, sloes and dog rose hips) were evaluated, in order to valorise these products as sources of nutrients and nutraceuticals. The analysed fruits contain very useful bioactive phytochemicals such as phenolics, vitamins (ascorbic acid and tocopherols) and carotenoids. All the samples proved to have antioxidant activity (measured by four different in vitro assays) being more significant for rose fruits (EC50 values lower than 90 μg/ml). The combination of bioactive compounds and rich nutritional composition (high contents in carbohydrates, low contents in fat with the precious contribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids, precursors of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) of the studied wild fruits make them a very special food. .
Volatile composition and carbohydrate content of Spanish honey samples from uncommon botanical origins have been studied by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. About 100 volatile compounds were identified; some of them appeared to be characteristic of particular honey types, such as methyl salycilate in willow (Salix spp.), 2,6,6-trimethyl-2,4-cycloheptadien-1-one (eucarvone) in almond tree (Prunus dulcis) and isophorone in strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo). Concentration ranges for major carbohydrates were similar to those previously reported in other honeys with different botanical origins, although concentrations of maltulose in avocado honeys (Persea americana) and of melezitose in Quercus ilex honeys were higher. Some carbohydrate alcohols could also be considered as markers of honey botanical origin, such as quercitol for Q. ilex and perseitol for avocado.
The role and beneficial effects of antioxidants against various disorders and diseases induced by oxidative stress have received much attention. Many types of antioxidants with different functions play their role in the defense network in vivo. The free radical scavenging antioxidants are one of the important classes of antioxidants and the assessment of their capacity has been the subject of extensive studies and argument. Various methods have been developed and applied in different systems, but many available methods result in inconsistent results. There is no simple universal method by which antioxidant capacity can be assessed accurately and quantitatively. In this review article, the available methods are critically reviewed on the basis of the mechanisms and dynamics of antioxidant action, and the methods are proposed to assess the capacity of radical scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation both in vitro and in vivo. It is emphasized that the prevailing competition methods such as oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) using a reference probe may be useful for assessing the capacity for scavenging free radicals but that such methods do not evaluate the characteristics of antioxidants and do not necessarily show the capacity to suppress the oxidation, that is, antioxidation. It is recommended that the capacity of antioxidant compounds and their mixtures for antioxidation should be assessed from their effect on the levels of plasma lipid peroxidation in vitro and biomarkers of oxidative stress in vivo.
The aim of the present study was to explore the traditional plant knowledge of a zone of the Ligurian coast, known as Riviera spezzina (RS), Eastern Liguria, Italy.
Ethnobotanical information was obtained through open informal interviews. The informants were residents, belonging to families living in the study area since generations, and involved, at least partially, in agriculture.
A total of 120 botanical taxa were recorded. Ethnobotanical data included medicinal (40.4%), alimentary (46.5%), veterinary (4.6%), domestic and cosmetic (4.3%), magic and ritual (1.8%) and other uses (2.4%). Medicinal plants are used to treat a wide range of diseases, mainly disorders of digestive system, skin, and genital-urinary and respiratory traits. The key role played by undomesticated edible herbs, locally known as "erbette", in traditional cooking recipes of RS was shown. These botanicals are rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, vitamins, complex sugars, essential fatty acids and fibers, and therefore might offer a valid protection against pathological conditions. Plant uses by RS people were compared with previous ethnobotanical literature, concerning the neighbouring areas of Liguria. Our results highlight the role of the traditional use of plants in the maintenance of health and the prevention of chronic and age-related diseases.
Despite strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves had a long use in traditional medicine due to its antiseptic, diuretic, astringent and depurative properties, the potential of their antioxidant activity are still lacking. Our study goals to assess the antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of water, ethanol, methanol and diethyl ether extracts of A. unedo leaves. Total phenols content was achieved spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent with gallic acid as standard. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using three different methods: reducing power of iron (III)/ferricyanide complex assay, scavenging effect on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals and scavenging effect on superoxide radicals by using the PMS-NADH-nitroblue tetrazolium system. Ethanol extracts of A. unedo leaves were the highest in reducing power (IC(50) 232.7 microg/mL) and DPPH scavenging effect (IC(50) 63.2 microg/mL) followed by water extracts (with IC(50) of 287.7 and 73.7 microg/mL, respectively); whereas diethyl ether extracts were the lowest. In the scavenging on superoxide radical assay, methanol extracts obtained the best results (IC(50) 6.9 microg/mL). For all the methods tested the antioxidant activity was concentration dependent. In accordance with antioxidant activity, highest total phenols content were found in ethanol, followed by water, methanol and diethyl ether extract. The results indicated that A. unedo leaves are a potential source of natural antioxidants.
Written records of oral medical traditions have had significant impact on the development of medicine and the pharmacopoeias. Modern ethnobotanical studies in Europe and the Mediterranean region, however, have so far largely overlooked the richness and accuracy of historic sources and ignored their probable influence on the development of today's local traditional medicines. Here, we explore the common fundament of traditional knowledge for the medicinal plant uses in Sardinia and Sicily by comparing the selection of medicinal species and specific uses with those of Dioscorides' De Materia Medica.
We use (i) a quantification of citations for medicinal species mentioned in ethnobotanical studies conducted in Sardinia and Sicily (ii) a comparison of the flora and medicinal flora with a chi(2)-test (iii) a binomial approach recently introduced into ethnobotany (iv) a comparison of the most frequently used species with the indications cited in Dioscorides' De Materia Medica (v) and a crosscheck of all mentioned species with their appearance in Berendes' translation of De Materia Medica.
We identified a core group of 170 medicinal species used on either islands, which accumulate 74% of all citations and are best represented in De Materia Medica. The 15 most frequently used species of both islands demonstrate intriguing parallels for indications with Dioscorides' work.
The ethnopharmacopoeia of Sicily and Sardinia are shallow stereotypes of the different editions of De Materia Medica and talking of oral tradition in this respect is a contradiction. The medicinal species of Sardinia and Sicily are largely widespread and common species, including many weeds, which are not facing threat of extinction. Therefore, using traditional medicinal practices as an argument for conservation biology or vice versa is not scientifically sound.
In order to select the main medicinal plants used in folk medicine to treat arterial hypertension and/or diabetes, a survey was undertaken in different areas of oriental Morocco. The patients (370 women and 256 men) were divided into three groups: diabetics (61%), hypertensives (23%) and hypertensive diabetic persons (16%). On average, 67.51% of patients regularly use medicinal plants. This proportion is perceptibly the same in all groups and does not depend on sex, age and socio-cultural level. This result shows that phytotherapy is widely adopted in northeastern Morocco. For diabetes, 41 plants were cited, of which the most used were Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Leguminosae), Globularia alypum L. (Globulariaceae), Artemisia herba-alba Asso. (Compositae), Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) and Tetraclinis articulata Benth. (Cupressaceae). In the hypertension's therapy 18 vegetal species were reported, of which the most used were Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae), Olea europea L. (Oleaceae), Arbutus unedo L. (Ericaceae), Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) and Petroselinum crispum A.W. Hill (Apiaceae). Among the 18 species used for hypertension, 14 were also employed for diabetes. Moreover, these two diseases were associated in 41% of hypertensives. These findings suggest that hypertension observed in this region would be in a large part related to diabetes.
The comparative mechanisms and relative rates of nitrogen dioxide (NO2.), thiyl (RS.) and sulphonyl (RSO2.) radical scavenging by the carotenoid antioxidants lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin and canthaxanthin have been determined by pulse radiolysis. All the carotenoids under study react with the NO2. radical via electron transfer to generate the carotenoid radical cation (Car.+). In marked contrast the glutathione and 2-mercaptoethanol thiyl radicals react via a radical addition process to generate carotenoid-thiyl radical adducts [RS-Car].. The RSO2. radical undergoes both radical addition, [RSO2-Car]. and electron abstraction, Car.+. Both carotenoid adduct radicals and radical cations decay bimolecularly. Absolute rate constants for radical scavenging were in the order of approximately 10(7)-10(9) M(-1) s(-1) and follow the sequence HO(CH2)2S. > RSO2. > GS. > NO2.. Although there were some discernible trends in carotenoid reactivity for individual radicals, rate constants varied by no greater than a factor of 2.5. The mechanism and rate of scavenging is strongly dependent on the nature of the oxidising radical species but much less dependent on the carotenoid structure.
An HPLC method, using detection after postcolumn derivatization with p-dimethylaminocynnamaldehyde (DMACA), was developed for the quantitative analysis of individual flavanols in food. This method was applied to flavanol determination in 56 different kinds of Spanish food products, including fruit, vegetables, legumes, beverages (cider, coffee, beer, tea, and wine), and chocolate. The determined compounds corresponded to the catechins and proanthocyanidin dimers and trimers usually present in food and, therefore, they were representative of the flavanols of low degree of polymerization consumed with the diet. The data generated could be used for calculation of the dietary intake of either individual or total flavanols, which would allow the further establishment of epidemiological correlations with the incidence of chronic diseases. Similar flavanol profiles were found in the different samples of a similar type of product, even though important variations could exist in the concentrations of total and individual flavanols among them. This was attributed to factors such as sample origin, stage of ripeness, post-harvesting conservation, and processing. Total flavanol contents varied from nondetectable in most of the vegetables to 184 mg/100 g found in a sample of broad bean. Substantial amounts were also found in some fruits, such as plum and apple, as well as in tea and red wine. Epicatechin was the most abundant flavanol, followed by catechin and procyanidin B2. In general, catechins were found in all the flavanol-containing products, but the presence of gallocatechins was only relevant in pomegranate, broad bean, lentil, grape, wine, beer, and tea, and most of the berries. Galloyled flavanols were only detected in strawberry, medlar, grape, and tea.
A quantitative determination of alpha-tocopherol in Arbutus unedo leaves was established by TLC-densitometry and colorimetry. Data obtained by TLC-densitometry were compared with those obtained by colorimetry. Also, the alpha-tocopherol content in leaves collected at different times of the year was studied comparatively. The highest amount of alpha-tocopherol was found in the March collection.
Antioxidant activity of 24 ferulic acid related compounds together with 6 gallic acid related compounds was evaluated using several different physical systems as well as their radical scavenging activity. The radical scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) decreased in the order caffeic acid > sinapic acid > ferulic acid > ferulic acid esters > p-coumaric acid. In bulk methyl linoleate, test hydroxycinnamic acids and ferulic acid esters showed antioxidant activity in parallel with their radical scavenging activity. In an ethanol-buffer solution of linoleic acid, the activity of test compounds was not always associated with their radical scavenging activity. Ferulic acid was most effective among the tested phenolic acids. Esterification of ferulic acid resulted in increasing activity. The activity of alkyl ferulates was somewhat influenced by the chain length of alcohol moiety. When the inhibitory effects of alkyl ferulates against oxidation of liposome induced by AAPH were tested, hexyl, octyl, and 2-ethyl-1-hexyl ferulates were more active than the other alkyl ferulates. Furthermore, lauryl gallate is most effective among the tested alkyl gallates. These results indicated that not only the radical scavenging activity of antioxidants, but also their affinity with lipid substrates, might be important factors in their activity.
Peroxidation of blood lipoproteins is regarded as a key event in the development of atherosclerosis. Hence, attenuation of the oxidative modification of lipoproteins by natural and synthetic antioxidants in vivo is considered a possible way of prevention of cardiovascular disorders. The assessment of the susceptibility of lipoproteins to oxidation is commonly based on in vitro oxidation experiments. Monitoring of oxidation provides the kinetic profile characteristic for the given lipoprotein preparation. The kinetic profile of peroxidation is characterized by three major parameters: the lag preceding rapid oxidation, the maximal rate of oxidation (V(max)) and the maximal accumulation of oxidation products (OD(max)). Addition of antioxidants alters this pattern, affecting the kinetic parameters of oxidation. In particular, antioxidants may prolong the lag and/or decrease the V(max) and/or decrease the OD(max). Such specific variation of the set of kinetic parameters may provide important information on the mechanism of the inhibitory action of a given antioxidant (scavenging free radicals, metal-binding or other mechanisms). Numerous natural and synthetic compounds were reported to inhibit oxidation of lipoproteins. Based on the analysis of reported effects and theoretical considerations, we propose a simple protocol that relates the kinetic effects of a given antioxidant to the mechanism of its action.
An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among the Taounate population in Northern Morocco to identify plants used in folk-medicine. Two distinct physiographic regions of the province, populated by two ethnic groups, were surveyed. Extensive investigation undertaken during the past 5 years has brought to light 102 medicinal plants belonging to 48 families. The scientific and vernacular names of plants, their ecological distribution, and the popular uses of the plant, the part of the plant used, the preparation and mode of administration are presented. Plants are widely used in indigenous pharmacopoeia to alleviate the common symptoms of cardiovascular (5.8%), gastrointestinal (24.9%), bronchopulmonary systems (9.8%), urogenital (12.2%) and skin (9.2%) diseases, and other disorders which are often associated with magic. The majority of medicinal plants grow in the wild (61%), while others are cultivated (37%) and some (1.9%) are domesticated. These plants are more abundant in the northern part (62%) of the province where they grow in forested areas. Among the 102 species inventoried, 13(12.7%) medicinal plants are widely commercialized in the region and exploited outside of the province. The data collected from 17 wholesalers, show the income derived from medicinal plants to be about USD 1,826,900 per year. This survey demonstrates that the medicinal plant sector in the province is a promising economic resource for developing this region, but it needs planned exploitation, and that the tribes should continue to master the folk-medicine.
The ethanol and methanol extracts of Arbutus unedo leaves were screened for antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity was determined by an improved assay based on the decolorization of the radical monocation of [2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS). The ethanol and methanol extract of A. unedo leaves displayed potent antioxidant activity.
It is known that blood platelets may present some dysfunction linked to cardiovascular pathologies such as arterial hypertension. The aim of this work is to examine the in vitro anti-aggregant effect of five medicinal plants among which three were reported as antihypertensive in oriental Morocco: Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae), Urtica dioïca (Urticaceae), and Petroselinum crispum (Apiaceae). The two other plants were Cistus ladaniferus (Cistaceae) and Equisetum arvense (Equisetaceae). The results obtained showed that all extracts produced a dose-dependent inhibition of thrombin and ADP-induced aggregation. The calculated IC50 (half-maximal inhibition of thrombin and ADP-induced aggregation) was found to be identical in all plant extracts while Urtica dioïca had a higher IC50 value. The effect of plants could be related in part to the polyphenolic compounds present in their extracts suggesting their involvement in the treatment or prevention of platelet aggregation complications linked to cardiovascular diseases. Phytochemical separation must be carried out to identify the active principles responsible for the anti-aggregant effect and elucidate their mechanisms of action.
This study examined the vascular effect of Arbutus leaves (aqueous extract) and described the isolation of several fractions responsible for their vasorelaxant activity. The aqueous extract (AE) of leaves was tested on rat aortic rings precontracted with 0.1 microm noradrenaline. At 10(-2) g/L, AE produced an endothelium dependent relaxation of 66% +/- 5%, (n = 8). The leaves of Arbutus were then extracted successively with different solvents and the methanol extract was the most active. When tannins (primarily condensed tannins) were precipitated from the methanol extract, they showed a strong vasorelaxant activity (87% +/- 4%, n = 5), whereas the elimination of tannins in the methanol extract reduced significantly its vasorelaxant activity (42% +/- 8%, n = 8, p < 0.005). The methanol extract was further separated semi-preparatively by reversed-phase HPLC. Four fractions (Fr2, Fr3, Fr4 and Fr6) were the most active and produced 88% +/- 2% (n = 5), 75% +/- 6% (n = 5), 76% +/- 3% (n = 7) and 77% +/- 3% (n = 10) relaxation, respectively. These four fractions mainly correspond to polyphenol compounds. Analysis of Fr6 indicated that this fraction contained catechin gallate. In conclusion, the vasorelaxant activity of Arbutus is likely to be due to polyphenol compounds, primarily condensed tannins and catechin gallate.