Extracts derived from the Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob) tree have been widely studied for their ability to prevent many diseases mainly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. In this study, we explored, for the first time, the anti-cancer properties of Cypriot carobs. We produced extracts from ripe and unripe whole carobs, pulp and seeds using solvents with different polarities. We measured the ability of the extracts to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer and normal immortalized breast cells, using the MTT assay, cell cycle analysis and Western Blotting. The extracts’ total polyphenol content and anti-oxidant action was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the DPPH assay. Finally, we used LC-MS analysis to identify and quantify polyphenols in the most effective extracts. Our results demonstrate that the anti-proliferative capacity of carob extracts varied with the stage of carob maturity and the extraction solvent. The Diethyl-ether and Ethyl acetate extracts derived from the ripe whole fruit had high Myricetin content and also displayed specific activity against cancer cells. Their mechanism of action involved caspase-dependent and independent apoptosis. Our results indicate that extracts from Cypriot carobs may have potential uses in the development of nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals.

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Abstract:The roots of Vernonia kotschyana Sch. Bip. ex Walp. (Asteraceae) are used in Malian traditional medicine in the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcers and gastritis. Since oxidative stress is involved in gastric ulceration, the aim of this study was to screen the root extracts for their in vitro antioxidant activity and phenolic content. The roots were OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2014, 19 19115 extracted successively with chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water. The antioxidant activity of root extracts was evaluated in both cell-free and cell-based assays. Their chemical characterization was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) whereas the total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The ethyl acetate extract displayed the highest phenolic content and was found to be the most active in the free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays; it also showed a high antioxidant activity in MCF-12F cells. This study suggests a potential use of the ethyl acetate extract of Vernonia kotschyana not only as an antioxidant agent in gastroduodenal ulcers and gastritis, but also in other disorders characterized by high levels of oxidative stress.

Neurodegenerative diseases are an increasing cause of global morbidity and mortality. They occur in the central nervous system (CNS) and lead to functional and mental impairment due to loss of neurons. Recent evidence highlights the link between neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases of the CNS. These are typically associated with several neurological disorders. These diseases have fundamental differences regarding their underlying physiology and clinical manifestations, although there are aspects that overlap. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is comprised of receptors (type-1 (CB1R) and type-2 (CB2R) cannabinoid-receptors, as well as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)), endogenous ligands and enzymes that synthesize and degrade endocannabinoids (ECBs). Recent studies revealed the involvement of the ECS in different pathological aspects of these neurodegenerative disorders. The present review will explore the roles of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) and pharmacological agents that modulate CBRs or ECS activity with reference to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Huntington’s Disease (HD) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

The present study investigated the antiulcer/gastro-protective effects of aqueous extract obtained from Vernonia kotschyana roots on two animal models of gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin and, respectively, absolute ethanol. The extract proved to have weak in vitro antioxidant activity on scavenging free radicals (ABTS radical cation, superoxide and nitric oxide) and weak ability of ferrous ions chelating. FT-IR analysis showed the presence of carbohydrates (polysaccharides) and saponins in the aqueous extract. The results of antiulcer activity study showed that Vernonia aqueous extract is efficient on indomethacin-induced ulcer model (ED 50 = 557.12 ± 38.29 mg/kg b.w.) and has gastro-protective activity on absolute ethanol-induced ulcer model (ED 50 = 439.85 ± 5.67 mg/kg b.w.). Further studies are needed to elucidate other mechanisms through which the aqueous extract exerts antiulcer/gastro-protective effects. Sub-fractionation of the extract may reveal the presence of novel compounds with antiulcer/gastro-protective activity. RezumatPrezentul studiu a investigat efectele antiulceroase/gastro-protectoare ale extractului apos obţinut din rădăcinile speciei Vernonia kotschyana pe două modele animale de ulcer gastric indus de indometacin şi, respectiv, de etanol absolut. Extractul a demonstrat slabe proprietăţi antioxidante in vitro, de scavenger a radicalilor liberi (radicalul cation ABTS, superoxid şi oxid nitric) şi o slabă capacitate de chelatare a ionilor feroşi. În urma analizei FT-IR, în extractul apos au fost identificată prezenţa carbohidraţilor (polizaharide) şi a saponinelor. Rezultatele studiului activităţii antiulceroase au arătat că extractul apos din Vernonia are proprietăţi antiulceroase în cadrul modelului de ulceraţie indusă de indometacin (DE 50 = 557,12 ± 38,29 mg/kg corp) şi proprietăţi gastro-protectoare în cadrul modelului de ulceraţie indusă de etanol (ED 50 = 439,85 ± 5,67 mg/kg corp). Studii ulteriore sunt necesare pentru a elucida alte mecanisme prin care extractul apos exercită acţiune antiulceroasă/gastroprotectoare. Sub-fracţionarea extractului poate dezvălui prezenţa unor noi compuşi cu activitate antiulceroasă/gastroprotectoare.