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Extracts derived from the Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob) tree have been widely studied for their ability to prevent many diseases mainly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. In this study, we explored, for the first time, the anti-cancer properties of Cypriot carobs. We produced extracts from ripe and unripe whole carobs, pulp and seeds using solvents with different polarities. We measured the ability of the extracts to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer and normal immortalized breast cells, using the MTT assay, cell cycle analysis and Western Blotting. The extracts’ total polyphenol content and anti-oxidant action was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the DPPH assay. Finally, we used LC-MS analysis to identify and quantify polyphenols in the most effective extracts. Our results demonstrate that the anti-proliferative capacity of carob extracts varied with the stage of carob maturity and the extraction solvent. The Diethyl-ether and Ethyl acetate extracts derived from the ripe whole fruit had high Myricetin content and also displayed specific activity against cancer cells. Their mechanism of action involved caspase-dependent and independent apoptosis. Our results indicate that extracts from Cypriot carobs may have potential uses in the development of nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals.

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An ultrasound-assisted method was used for the extraction of phenolics from defatted black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L.), and the effects of several extraction factors on the total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were investigated. To improve the extraction efficiency of phenolics from black cumin seed by ultrasonic-assisted extraction, the optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: ethanol concentration of 59.1%, extraction temperature of 44.6 °C and extraction time of 32.5 min. Under these conditions, the total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity increased by about 70% and 38%, respectively, compared with conventional extraction. Furthermore, a complementary quantitative analysis of individual phenolic compounds was carried out using the HPLC-UV technique. The phenolic composition revealed high amounts of epicatechin (1.88–2.37 mg/g) and rutin (0.96–1.21 mg/g) in the black cumin seed extracts. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction can be a useful extraction method for the recovery of polyphenols from defatted black cumin seeds.

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The bioactive compounds of latex in aloe vera are associated with several of its medicinal properties. Aloe emodin, aloins A and B, which are present in aloe latex, are known for their laxative action. This study aims to develop a simple HPLC method for the determination of compounds with purgative effect. The correlation of these compounds according to the plant conditions and the position of the leaf in the plant was also evaluated. Aloe vera plants under different conditions and thirteen aloe-based products were analyzed by HPLC-DAD combined with chemometrics. Each leaf from the plants was studied separately for its content in compounds with a laxative effect. The developed method was performed with a C18 column and the total analysis time was 22 minutes. It was observed that, in contrast with field-cultivation plants, the concentrations of aloins in potted plants follow a specific pattern based on the position of the leaves. It was also observed that climatic and environmental conditions have a significant impact on the concentrations of aloins. Principal Component Analysis was performed to evaluate correlations among measurements. The model was able to separate the aloe plants based on their seasonal variation and growing conditions. Finally, it was observed that, in only two out of thirteen products, aloins were present, with the total content exceeded the maximum levels set by EU legislation. The present work provides useful information for the aloins variation among leaves in different position and plants under various conditions.