This study compared the differences of two types of buckwheat sprouts, namely, common buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and tartary buckwheat ( Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.), in general composition, functional components, and antioxidant capacity. The ethanol extracts of tartary buckwheat sprouts (TBS) had higher reducing power, free radical scavenging activity, and superoxide anion scavenging activity than those of common buckwheat sprouts (CBS). As for chelating effects on ferrous ions, CBS had higher values than TBS. Rutin was the major flavonoid found in these two types of buckwheat sprouts, and TBS was 5 fold higher in rutin than CBS. The antioxidant effects of buckwheat sprouts on human hepatoma HepG2 cells revealed that both of TBS and CBS could decrease the production of intracellular peroxide and remove the intracellular superoxide anions in HepG2 cells, but TBS reduced the cellular oxidative stress more effectively than CBS, possibly because of its higher rutin (and quercetin) content.

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Background: This study aimed to explore the differences in the distributions of plantar pressure in static and dynamic states and assess the possible pain profiles in the lower limb between elite rugby league athletes and recreational rugby players. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 51 college elite rugby athletes and 57 recreational rugby players was undertaken. The arch index (AI) and plantar pressure distributions (PPDs) with footprint characteristics were evaluated via the JC Mat. Rearfoot alignment was examined to evaluate the static foot posture. The elite group’s lower-limb pain profiles were examined for evaluating the common musculoskeletal pain areas. Results: The recreational group’s AI values fell into the normal range, whereas the elite group’s arch type fell into the category of the low arch. Results from the elite group were: (1) the PPDs mainly exerted on the entire forefoot and lateral midfoot regions in static standing, and transferred to the forefoot region during the midstance phase of walking; (2) the static rearfoot alignment matched the varus posture pattern; (3) the footprint characteristics illustrated the features of low-arched, supinated, dropped metatarsal heads and dropped cuboid feet; and (4) the phalanx and metatarsophalangeal joints, and the abductor hallucis and abductor digiti minimi of the plantar plate were common musculoskeletal pain areas. Conclusions: Characteristics of higher plantar loads beneath forefoot and midfoot associated with low-arched supinated feet in bipedal static stance could be the traceable features for the foot diagram of elite rugby league athletes. The limb pain profiles of the elite rugby league athletes within this study echoed the literature on rugby injuries, and reflected the features of metatarsophalangeal joint pains and dropped cuboids. The relationships among the low-arched supinated feet, metatarsophalangeal joint pains and cuboid syndrome are worth further studies.

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) was grown in trace element water (TEW) (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm) and deionized water (DIW) to evaluate whether the beneficial effects of trace elements on the antioxidant activity could be accomplished with the supplement of TEW. At 300 ppm, TEW significantly increased the Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe contents in buckwheat sprout but not the Se content. However, the levels of rutin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin did not differ between buckwheat sprouts grown in TEW and DIW. The ethanolic extract from buckwheat sprout grown in 300 ppm of TEW showed higher ferrous ion chelating activity and inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation than that grown in DIW. The extract in the TEW group also enhanced intracellular superoxide dismutase activity and lowered reactive oxygen species and superoxide anion in the human Hep G2 cell. It was concluded that TEW could increase the antioxidant activities of buckwheat sprouts.