In this study, we analyzed extracts of Ribes (black currant, red currant and gooseberry) fruits obtained with methanol, methanol 50% and water. For each extract total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content and total anthocyanin content was assessed. The antioxidant activity of extracts was evaluated by 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity and by the photo-chemiluminescence (PCL) method. Identification and quantification of individual phenolic compounds was performed by means of high performance liquid chromatograph coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) analyses. From each fruit, best extraction of polyphenols was obtained with methanol 50%. In case of red currants and gooseberry there was no significant difference in flavonoids and anthocyanins extraction rate by the different extraction solvents. For black currants the methanol and methanol 50% extract presented the highest antioxidant activity. For red currants extracts with methanol 50% showed stronger antioxidant activity (IC = 5.71 mg/ml for DPPH, IC = 1.17 mg/ml for ABTS) than those with methanol or water. In case of gooseberry by the DPPH test the water extract proved to be the most active (IC = 5.9 mg/ml). In the PCL test black currants methanol 50% extract was over 6 times more powerful as the ones from red currants. In case of gooseberries, water extract presented the highest antioxidant activity (41.84 μmol AAE/g). In black currant cyanidin-3-glucoside was the major compound. Quercetin 3-O-glucoside was identified in each sample. From cinnamic acid derivatives neochlorogenic acid was present in black currants in the highest amount (356.33 μg/g).

Our study aimed at the identification of anti-inflammatory activities of different fractions of C. sadleriana extract after per os administration in rats, the identification of the active compounds of the plant and the investigation of the in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of Centaurea species native to or cultivated in the Carpathian Basin. The aerial parts of Centaurea sadleriana Janka have been used in Hungarian folk medicine to treat the wounds of sheep. Methanol extract of C. sadleriana was fractioned by solvent-solvent partitioning. The n-hexane fraction was further fractionated and the anti-inflammatory activities of certain subfractions were confirmed in vivo in rats. The n-hexane and chloroform fraction of the methanol extract of C. sadleriana exhibited remarkable COX-1 and COX-2 inhibiting effects in vitro. Chromatographic separation of the fractions led to the identification of the active subfractions and 11 compounds (α-linolenic acid, γ-linolenic acid, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, campesterol, vanillin, pectolinarigenin, salvigenin, hispidulin, chrysoeriol and apigenin). The in vitro screening for anti-inflammatory activities of further Centaurea species occurring in the Carpathian Basin (C. adjarica, C. bracteata, C. cataonica, C. cynaroides, C. dealbata, C. indurata, C. macrocephala, C. melitensis, C. nigrescens, C. ruthenica) revealed considerable COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activities. Because C. sadleriana is an endangered species native only to the Carpathian Basin, the investigation of more prevalent species is reasonable.

Antihyperglycemic effects of four extracts obtained from leaves and fruits of Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium corymbosum were assessed in diabetic rats. In addition, the effects of extracts on diabetic-related complications such as the development of diabetic cataract and oxidative stress were evaluated. Type 1 diabetes was induced with a single dose of streptozotocin in Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into seven equal groups: NC-normal control, DC-diabetic control, PC-positive control treated with metformin, VML-received V. myrtillus leaf extract, VMLF-received VML and fruit extract, VCL-received V. corymbosum leaf extract, and VCLF-received VCL and fruit extract. Body weight and glucose levels were monitored every second week. After 8 weeks of treatment, serum glucose, insulin, and malondialdehyde were measured. Lenses were removed after sacrifice and eight lenses from each group were randomly selected for evaluation of cataract development. A decrease in body weight was observed in all diabetic groups in the first weeks. In the VML group, no significant decrease was observed. Glucose levels during the experiment were high in DC, PC, and VCL groups, with no improvement during the 8 weeks. In VML, VMLF, and VCLF groups, a decrease in blood glucose levels was observed. Similar results regarding serum insulin and glucose levels at the end of the experiment were observed within groups. V. myrtillus extracts prevented the development of cataract compared with the DC group (P < .05).

Physalin D was isolated from the methanol extract of Physalis alkekengi L. fruits by combination of different chromatographic methods (CPC, TLC, HPLC). The structure was elucidated based on H andC NMR spectral analysis with the aid of 2D-correlation spectroscopy (H, H-COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and comparison with literature data. The quantity of physalin D in mature and immature fruits and calyces was determined by RP-HPLC-UV method. Among the studied samples, immature calyx showed the highest content of physalin D (0.7880 ± 0.0612%), while mature calyx contained 4 times less amount (0.2028 ± 0.016%). The physalin D content of the fruit was much lower; immature fruits contained 0.0992 ± 0.0083% physalin D and mature fruits 0.0259 ± 0.0021%. The antiproliferative activity of the CHCl extract and its fractions was tested on three cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7 and A431). The antiproliferative activity of physalin D is discussed with regard the published data.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess storage effects on anthocyanin and total polyphenol content in different bilberry and blueberry extracts and to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of these extracts. Materials and methods: Total phenolic content, total monomeric anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity were determined in the first month and after three months storage of berries at either -20 °C or -50 °C. Two different solvents were used (methanol and 50% ethanol). Antibacterial activity was determined for the 3 months stored fruits using a microdilution method and was expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration. Results: There were significant differences between the concentration in the first month and after three months storage in both types of fruit extracts. Regarding the extracting solvent, we noticed that total phenols were better extracted with 50% ethanol, while the total monomeric anthocyanin content was higher in the methanolic extracts. No significant or slightly significant differences were observed between the fruits stored at -20 °C or -50 °C. Ethanolic extracts showed the highest scavenging activity. Good antibacterial activity was observed on gram-positive bacteria. Conclusions: Storage conditions are an important factor that can influence chemical composition of fruits. Although freezing is a good option for preservation, our study showed a high decrease in the concentration of total phenols and anthocyanins after only three months. The fruits have shown a high antioxidant activity and a good antibacterial effect. Further studies are needed for better understanding the changes that can appear during the storage.