Publikacje naukowe

ABSTRACT

Amelanchier alnifolia leaves are rich in bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant and antidiabetic effects, including potent α-glucosidase inhibition. Combining these extracts with prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, chitooligosaccharides) can enhance their functional properties. Extraction was optimized using Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs; the best conditions (58% methanol, 26 m/v solid-to-solvent ratio, 74 min) gave the highest total phenolic content. Cultivars varied significantly in polyphenol content. Lyophilized systems with GOS, FOS and COS improved chlorogenic acid release while preserving antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. FT-IR confirmed molecular interactions. Prebiotic effectiveness, evaluated by prebiotic index and activity score, showed stronger stimulation of Bifidobacterium strains compared with pure extract. These results indicate that A. alnifolia leaf extracts with prebiotics could be promising functional ingredients for health-promoting and antidiabetic applications.

ABSTRACT

Amelanchier alnifolia leaves are rich in bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant and antidiabetic effects, including potent α-glucosidase inhibition. Combining these extracts with prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, chitooligosaccharides) can enhance their functional properties. Extraction was optimized using Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs; the best conditions (58% methanol, 26 m/v solid-to-solvent ratio, 74 min) gave the highest total phenolic content. Cultivars varied significantly in polyphenol content. Lyophilized systems with GOS, FOS and COS improved chlorogenic acid release while preserving antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. FT-IR confirmed molecular interactions. Prebiotic effectiveness, evaluated by prebiotic index and activity score, showed stronger stimulation of Bifidobacterium strains compared with pure extract. These results indicate that A. alnifolia leaf extracts with prebiotics could be promising functional ingredients for health-promoting and antidiabetic applications.

ABSTRACT

The modulation of the gut microbiome through dietary components has garnered significant attention for its potential health benefits. Prebiotics, non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, play a crucial role in maintaining gut health, enhancing immune function, and potentially preventing various metabolic and inflammatory disorders. This review explores the prebiotic activity of cyclodextrins and dextrans, focusing on their ability to influence gut microbiota composition and function. Both cyclodextrins and dextrans have demonstrated the capacity to promote the growth of beneficial bacterial populations, while also impacting short-chain fatty acid production, crucial for gut health. 

ABSTRACT

Pomegranate flower extract, rich in anthocyanins, has health-promoting effects such as antidiabetic and antioxidant activity. However, these benefits are limited by the low stability of anthocyanins. Our study examined whether stabilizing carriers (HP-γ-cyclodextrin, α-cyclodextrin, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, inulin and Arabic gum) can improve the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity, stability, release profile and prebiotic potential of lyophilized pomegranate flower extract. We analyzed interactions using FT-IR, studied structure with microscopy, measured antidiabetic activity through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, and antioxidant capacity with DPPH and CUPRAC assays. Pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside content and release were determined with HPLC at pH 6.8 and 1.2, and stability was tested at 90 °C. Prebiotic effects were evaluated on ten beneficial bacterial strains. Results showed improved stability and enhanced prebiotic, antidiabetic and antioxidant properties, supporting better use of pomegranate flower extract’s health benefits.

ABSTRACT

Five varieties of Actinidia leaves (Geneva, Jumbo, Ken’s Red, Kijivska Hibridna, and Sentyabraskaya) were analyzed. The profiles of active compounds were determined, namely quercetin, rutin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, and kaempferol, in the raw material. Suspecting that the raw material might prove important in the treatment of diabetes, the authors assessed the antioxidant activity and the ability to inhibit enzymes responsible for the development of diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase). As a result of the conducted analysis, the Ken’s Red variety was indicated as having the highest biological activity (DPPH IC50 = 0.332 ± 0.048; FRAP IC0.5 = 0.064 ± 0.005; α-glucosidase inhibition IC50 = 0.098 ± 0.007; α-amylase inhibition IC50 = 0.083 ± 0.004). In order to increase the efficiency of the extraction of active compounds from Ken’s Red variety leaves, cyclodextrins (α-CD, β-CD, and γ-CD) were used as extraction process enhancers. The obtained results showed a significant increase in the contents of extracted active compounds. In addition, the type of CD used enhanced the extraction of selected compounds (quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, chlorogenic acid, and epicatechin. This study shows that the application of cyclodextrin-based extraction significantly improved the leaf activity of the Ken’s Red variety (DPPH IC50 = 0.160 ± 0.019; FRAP IC0.5 = 0.008 ± 0.001; α-glucosidase inhibition IC50 = 0.040 ± 0.002; α-amylase inhibition IC50 = 0.012 ± 0.003). 

ABSTRACT

Periodontal diseases are one of the most significant challenges in dental health. It is estimated that only a few percent of the worldwide population have entirely healthy teeth, and according to WHO, oral diseases may affect up to 3.5 billion people worldwide. One of the most serious oral diseases is periodontitis, an inflammatory disease affecting periodontal tissues, caused by pathogenic bacteria and environmental factors such as the ageing population, abuse of tobacco products, and lack of adequate oral hygiene due low public awareness. Plant materials are widely and successfully used in the management of many conditions, including periodontitis. Plant materials for periodontitis exhibit antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities and affect the periodontium structure. Numerous studies demonstrate the advantages of phytotherapy for periodontitis relief and indicate the usefulness of Baikal skullcap root, Pomegranate fruit peel and root cortex, Tea leaves, Chamomile flowers, Magnolia bark, Blackberry leaves and fruits, Cranberry fruits and Lippia sidoides essential oil. This review aims to analyze the use and applicability of selected plant materials in periodontitis management since it is of paramount importance to evaluate the evidence of the traditionally used plant materials in light of continuously growing interest in phytotherapy and its adjuvant role in the treatment of periodontitis.