Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Citrus Flavanones Mix and Its Stability after In Vitro Simulated Digestion

Abstract

Recently, several studies have highlighted the role of Citrus flavanones in counteracting oxidative stress and inflammatory response in bowel diseases. The aim of study was to identify the most promising Citrus flavanones by a preliminary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory screening by in vitro cell-free assays, and then to mix the most powerful ones in equimolar ratio in order to investigate a potential synergistic activity. The obtained flavanones mix (FM) was then subjected to in vitro simulated digestion to evaluate the availability of the parent compounds at the intestinal level. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity was investigated on a Caco-2 cell-based model stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β. FM showed stronger antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with respect to the single flavanones, demonstrating the occurrence of synergistic activity. The LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis of gastric and duodenal digested FM (DFM) showed that all compounds remained unchanged at the end of digestion. As proof, a superimposable behavior was observed between FM and DFM in the anti-inflammatory assay carried out on Caco-2 cells. Indeed, it was observed that both FM and DFM decreased the IL-6, IL-8, and nitric oxide (NO) release similarly to the reference anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.

Grape Canes from Typical Cultivars of Campania (Southern Italy) as a Source of High-Value Bioactive Compounds: Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

“…All determinations were performed in triplicate and results were expressed as mean ± SD. Free Radical Scavenging Activity of "Aglianico", "Fiano", and "Greco" grape cane extracts at pH 1.00 (A), 7.00 (B), 13.00 (C), and antioxidant reference compounds. DPPH assay was performed with 5 µg GAE of extracts or pure reference compounds as described in Section 3.4.1.…”

“…These molecules, thanks to their well-known strong antioxidant power, are of significant interest for use in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries [ 12 ]. Furthermore, they possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties [ 13 ].…”

Screening Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flavanones Solutions

“…The inhibition of some pro-inflammatory cytokines can alleviate many inflammatory diseases [47][48][49][50]. It is reported that flavonoids inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators such as cytokines/chemokines, eicosanoids, and adhesion molecules [51,52]. In this sense hesperidin, a flavanone isolated from citrus fruit, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.…”

Mediterranean Edible Plants: An Assessment of Their Antioxidant, Radical Scavenger Properties and Their Use as Super Foods, Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods

“…The Mediterranean diet comprises a set of foods that commonly feature in the diet of inhabitants from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This is mainly composed of vegetables, fruit, cereals and legumes—the roles of which have been recognized in the prevention of obesity and chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, tumors, hypertension—thus, it represents a healthy model to follow, since a balanced diet combined with a correct lifestyle is the essential basis for our health [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) juice extract is able to inhibit reactive oxygen species release, increasing the cellular antioxidant response, but also a combination of olive leaf and fruit extracts may be useful to safely reduce hypertension and MetS markers [ 2 , 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Natural bioactive compounds from natural plants, such as Citrus flavanones, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro in a synergistic way; in addition, Tuscan bee pollen is a rich source of essential nutrients and potential nutraceutical product [ 3 ]. The origin of the Mediterranean diet is traced back to about 10,000 years ago in the Middle East where wheat, olive oil and wine made up a large part of the crops of this land, to which later, thanks to commercial exchanges, other plants and vegetables were added.…”