Phenolic Composition of Hydrophilic Extract of Manna from Sicilian Vahl and its Reducing, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Vitro.

Manna, a very singular vegetable product derived from the spontaneous solidification of the sap of some species, has long been known for its mild laxative and emollient properties. In this work, a hydro-alcoholic extract of manna (HME) from Sicilian Vahl was investigated using HPLC-DAD to find phenol components and using chemical and biological in vitro assays to determine its reducing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. We identified elenolic acid, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, catechin, fraxetin, verbascoside, gallic acid, procyanidin-B1, and luteolin 3,7 glucoside, in order of abundance.

A Natural Dietary Supplement with a Combination of Nutrients Prevents Neurodegeneration Induced by a High Fat Diet in Mice.

Obesity and metabolic disorders can be risk factors for the onset and development of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of a natural dietary supplement (NDS), containing Curcuma longa, silymarin, guggul, chlorogenic acid and inulin, on dysmetabolism and neurodegeneration in the brains of high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Decrease in the expression of FACL-4, CerS-1, CerS-4, cholesterol concentration and increase in the insulin receptor expression and insulin signaling activation, were found in brains of NDS-treated HFD brains in comparison with HFD untreated-mice, suggesting that NDS is able to prevent brain lipid accumulation and central insulin resistance.

HPLC and NMR analysis of the phenyl-ethanoid glycosides pattern of Verbascum thapsus L. cultivated in the Etnean area.

In this work the HPLC and NMR analysis of the phenyl-ethanoid glycosides (PhGs) pattern of a cultivated exemplar of Verbascum thapsus L. (Scrophulariaceae) from the Etnean area (Sicily, Italy) was performed in order to verify their possible presence. Wild V.

Antioxidant and photoprotective effects of blanch water, a byproduct of the almond processing industry.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antioxidant and photoprotective effect of blanch water (BW), a byproduct of the almond processing industry. The polyphenolic content of a BW extract, the level of proanthocyanidins and the vanillin index determination were determined. The antioxidant activity and the radical scavenging activity of the BW were evaluated by a range of in vitro tests.

Nocellaralactone, a new monoterpenoid with anti-inflammatory activity, from Olea europaea L., cultivar Nocellara del Belice.

Nocellara del Belice, a cultivated variety (cultivar) of olive tree (Olea europæa L.), was examined with respect to the medium-polar compounds present in the wastewaters of olive oil extraction at the end of 2007. Charcoal-polyamide chromatography of obtained wastewaters showed the presence of the chemotaxonomical markers of Olea europaea.

In vitro antioxidant and in vivo photoprotective effect of pistachio (Pistacia vera L., variety Bronte) seed and skin extracts.

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) nuts are a rich source of phenolic compounds, known for their high antioxidant activity, and contained not only in the seeds but also in the skin. A pistachio cultivar of high quality is typical of Bronte, Sicily, Italy.

Aromadendrine, a new component of the flavonoid pattern of Olea europaea L. and its anti-inflammatory activity.

Leaves of Olea europaea, cultivar Nocellara del Belice, were examined with respect to the medium-polar fraction, obtained by an ethyl acetate extraction of the whole extract. In the medium polar fraction, we isolated the two hydroxy-phenyl-ethyl alcohols (hydroxyl-tyrosol and tyrosol) that are the main component of olives. In addition, we isolated a flavonoidic compound, aromadendrine, a dihydroflavonol yet known but quite rare in nature.

1-ethyl and 1-propylazacycloalkan-2-one ester prodrugs of ketoprofen. Synthesis, chemical stability, enzymatic hydrolysis, anti-inflammatory activity, and gastrointestinal toxicity.

Six ketoprofen (CAS 22071-15-4) alkylazacycloalkan-2-one ester derivatives (I-VI) were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and ulcerogenic activities after oral administration. Furthermore these derivatives were assayed to determine in vitro their stability in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer and in simulated gastric fluid (pH 2.

New oligoethylene ester derivatives of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine as dermal prodrugs: synthesis, physicochemical properties, and skin permeation studies.

Five new oligoethylene ester derivatives (9-13) of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IDU) were synthesized and assayed to determine their lipophilicity by both experimental lipophilicity indices (log K') and calculated partition coefficients (CLOGP). In vitro experiments were carried out to evaluate the chemical and enzymatic stability and fluxes through excised human skin of these new IDU derivatives. Esters 9-13 showed increased lipophilicity compared with the parent drug (IDU), had good stability in phosphate buffer (pH 7.