Nutraceutical Potential of Seven “Quelites” Harvested in the Northern Highlands of Puebla-México

Abstract

The northern highlands of Puebla harbor several plant foods consumed since pre-Columbian times. Most of the native vegetables from this geographical region are still uncharacterized at the nutraceutical level. This investigation was focused on the elucidation of chemical and biochemical properties of the edible organs from Rhamnus pompana, Solanum nigrescens, Sechium edule, Yucca aloifolia, Piper auritum, Amaranthus hybridus and Rumex obtusifolius, which are used as traditional foods in this region. The content of basic nutrients (including vitamins of the B complex), nutraceuticals (carotenoids, flavonoids, and fatty acids), phenolics (including antioxidant capacity), and inhibitory properties of these plants on specific enzymes linked to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were determined. In addition, extracts of these plants were evaluated against pathogenic microorganisms of the gastrointestinal tract. Our results demonstrated statistically significant divergences (p < 0.05) in the content protein (12.5 g/100 g), fiber (9.8 g/100 g), fat (81.2 mg/100 g), beta-carotene (2.48 mg/100 g), beta-cryptoxanthin (1.24 mg/100 g), thiamine (159.6 µg/100 g), riboflavin (106.4 µg/100 g), and vitamin B6 between Y. aloifolia and other plants studied. All plants showed low amounts of reducing sugars (<150 mg/100 g) and sodium (<70 mg/100 g), but the berries of R. pompana exhibited substantial differences (p < 0.05) in the levels of vitamin C (14.6 mg/100 mg). The edible leaves of R. obtusifolius were particularly rich in quercetin (4.38 mg/100 g), kaempferol (2.38 mg/100 g) and lutein (2.52 mg/100 g), whereas the aerial parts of S. edule contained high concentrations of folate (50.6 µg/100 g). All plants showed variable phenolic content and antioxidant capacity; however, Y. aloifolia had the highest values (23 GAE/mg/g and 440 TEAC/µM/g). The ethanolic extracts from Y. aloifolia efficiently inhibited pancreatic lipase (IC50, 43.76 µg/mL) and alpha-glucosidase (IC50, 60.04 µg/mL), whereas those from S. edule inhibited alpha-glucosidase (IC50, 47.4 µg/mL) and HMG-CoA reductase (IC50, 33.6 µg/mL). Only the ethanolic extracts of R. pompana (IC50, 35.36 µg/mL) and Y. aloifolia (IC50, 53.28 µg/mL) inhibited ornithine decarboxylase. All plant extracts exerted moderated antimicrobial activity in at least one species associated with the gastrointestinal tract.

Anthocyanins of Hierbamora (Solanum nigrescens): Revealing their Nutraceutical Potential for Controlling Hypertriglyceridemia and Helicobacter pylori Viability

“…The inhibitory effect of SNAF and that of individual anthocyanins, was explored by dose‐response curves of 10–400 μg mL −1 . The IC 50 of each molecule was calculated by linear regression using GraphPad Prism 7.0, considering the specific activity of each enzyme in accordance with previous experimental conditions [11] . Specific activity used to calculate IC 50 values for AG, AA, and PL was 0.034, 0.063, and 0.085 mM min −1 , respectively.…”

“…According to current data, S. nigrescens fruit contains considerable levels of fiber, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, ascorbic acid, vitamins B 6 , B 9 , and B 12 , as well as valued nutraceuticals such as quercetin, kaempferol, lutein, beta-carotene, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. [11] Furthermore, hydroalcoholic extracts of these fruit showed potent antioxidant capacity and inhibitory properties on pancreatic lipase, HMG-CoA reductase, and ornithine decarboxylase. In addition, they moderated antimicrobial activity on specific strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans.…”

“…[11] Generations have consumed the leaves and berries of this plant as a traditional food. [11] S. nigrescens is locally known as "hierbamora" in the NHP and "slender nightshade" in other provinces of Mexico due to the purple color of its mature berries. [12] The latest investigation on the closely related species Solanum nigrum (native from Europe), revealed the accumulation of petunidin glycosides which provided the characteristic color of mature fruit.…”

“…Solanum nigrescens M. Martens & Galeotti is tagged as a “quelite” (edible green) in the northern highlands of Puebla (NHP), Mexico [11] . Generations have consumed the leaves and berries of this plant as a traditional food [11] . S. nigrescens is locally known as “hierbamora” in the NHP and “slender nightshade” in other provinces of Mexico due to the purple color of its mature berries [12] .…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, the anthocyanin profiling of S. nigrescens is still unidentified but recent investigation has revealed its nutritional properties. According to current data, S. nigrescens fruit contains considerable levels of fiber, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, ascorbic acid, vitamins B 6 , B 9 , and B 12 , as well as valued nutraceuticals such as quercetin, kaempferol, lutein, beta‐carotene, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid [11] . Furthermore, hydroalcoholic extracts of these fruit showed potent antioxidant capacity and inhibitory properties on pancreatic lipase, HMG‐CoA reductase, and ornithine decarboxylase.…”