The present study was designed to define and compare the flavonoid composition and the biological potential of berries methanol extracts of Juniperus communis L. var. communis (Jcc) and Juniperus communis L. var. saxatilis. Pall. (Jcs) from Turkey. Total polyphenols (Folin-Ciocalteau method) were 3-fold higher in Jcc (59.17 +/- 1.65 mg GAE/g extract) than in Jcs (17.64 +/- 0.09 mg GAE/g extract). Flavonoid and biflavonoid content, evaluated by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis, was higher in Jcc (25947 +/- 0.86 and 4346 +/- 3.95 microg/g extract) than in Jcs (5387 +/- 34.88 and 1944 +/- 26.88 microg/g extract). The HPLC analysis of Jcc allowed the separation of 16 flavonoids; hypolaetin-7-pentoside and quercetin-hexoside are the main compounds. Moreover, gossypetin-hexoside-pentoside and gossypetin-hexoside were identified for the first time in Jcc berries. In Jcs eight flavonoids were identified: quercetin-hexoside and isoscutellarein-8-O-hexoside are the most abundant compounds. The in vitro antioxidant activity was determined using different methods; Jcc was found to be more active than Jcs in the DPPH test (IC(50) of 0.63 +/- 0.09 mg/mL and 1.84 +/- 0.10 mg/mL) in reducing power assay (12.82 +/- 0.10 ASE/mL and 64.14 +/- 1.20 ASE/mL), and in TBA assay (IC(50) of 4.44 +/- 0.70 microg/mL and 120.07 +/- 3.60 microg/mL). By contrast, Jcs exhibited more elevated Fe(2+) chelating ability than Jcc. The extracts were also studied for their antimicrobial potential, displaying antimicrobial capacity only against Gram-positive bacteria.

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Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau fruits have been traditionally utilized, in Calabria (Italy), as a popular remedy for their hypolipidemic properties. C. bergamia juice total phenol content (2474.35+/-38 microg/mL) was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method; moreover, HPLC analysis led to the identification of naringin (520 ppm), neoeriocitrin (370 ppm), and neohesperidin (310 ppm). The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of C. bergamia juice and its protective effect on liver of hyperlipidemic rats. Chronic administration of C. bergamia (1 mL/rat/day) provoked a significant reduction in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels; moreover, histopathological observations showed, in rats submitted to C. bergamia treatment, a protection of hepatic parenchyma. In addition, fecal neutral sterols and fecal bile acid excretion was found to be increased after C. bergamia treatment. These results suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effect of C. bergamia may be mediated by the increase in fecal neutral sterols and total bile acids excretion. In addition to the hypolipidemic effect, the juice shows radical scavenging activity in the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test; probably the two effects are related. These observations suggest that the positive intake of C. bergamia may reduce the risk of some cardiovascular diseases through its radical scavenging function and hypocholesterolemic action.

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