The antioxidant potential of some herbal plant extracts (commercial products) was measured using variousin vitroassays. Among the extracts fromCurcuma longa, Caffea arabica, Tribulus terrestris, Bacopa monnieriandTrigonella foenum- graecum, theCurcuma longaand coffee bean extract (Caffea Arabica) showed greater antioxidant activity measured as scavenging of DPPH, superoxide radicals, reducing power and inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation.

β‐caryophyllene (BCP), a natural sesquiterpene present in plants, is a selective agonist of cannabinoid receptor type‐2 (CB2) of the endocannabinoid system. In this study, we have prepared an extract from Piper nigrum (black pepper) seeds using supercritical fluid extraction, standardized to contain 30% BCP (ViphyllinTM). The beneficial effects of prophylactic treatment with Viphyllin on cognitive functions were demonstrated in Scopolamine‐induced dementia model mice. Male Swiss albino mice (25–30 g) were administered with Viphyllin (50 mg and 100 mg/kg body weight p.o.) or donepezil (1.60 mg/kg) for 14 days. Subsequently, cognitive deficits were induced by treating the animals intraperitoneally with Scopolamine (0.75 mg/kg). The cognitive behavior of mice was evaluated using a novel object recognition test (NORT) and Morris water maze (MWM) test. The brain homogenates were studied for biochemical parameters including cholinesterase activities and antioxidant status. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the mechanism of action. Viphyllin dose dependently improved the recognition and spatial memory and cholinergic functions in Scop‐treated mice. The extract was found protective against Scop‐induced oxidative damage and histopathologic changes in the brain. At 100 mg/kg Viphyllin markedly reduced the proBDNF/mBDNF ratio (p < .05) and augmented the TrkB expression (p < .01). Viphyllin (100 mg/kg) was found to be neuroprotective by reducing the Scop‐induced upregulation of p‐JNK and p‐p38 MAPK proteins, Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, and caspase activation in the brain. Viphyllin also exerted anti‐inflammatory effects by downregulating Cox‐2, TNF‐α, and NOS‐2 in Scop‐induced mice (p < .05). To summarize, our data encourage Viphyllin as a functional ingredient/dietary supplement for brain health and cognition. Practical applications Black pepper is a culinary spice having several medicinal attributes. Essential oils in the seeds of the plant give aroma and flavor to it. Here we have prepared an extract from the seeds of black pepper using supercritical fluid extraction, characterized for the presence of β‐caryophyllene (not <30%). This research work further validates the neuroprotective mechanism of the extract in Scopolamine‐induced cognitive impairment model mice. The findings from this study strongly suggest the beneficial neuroactive properties of black pepper seed extract having the presence of BCP, a CB2 receptor agonist. It can thus be used potentially as a functional food ingredient for cognition and brain function.

Oxidative stress breeds various chronic lifestyle ailments including inflammatory conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. β-caryophyllene natural bicyclic sesquiterpene, obtained from various plants sources found to be effective against inflammation and neuroprotection. In this study, we have evaluated the protective effect of Viphyllin, a standardized extract of β-caryophyllene from black pepper against inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW264.7 macrophage cells and mechanisms involved in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-challenged oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Viphyllin demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity by subsiding the release of the pro-inflammatory intermediaries like NO, cytokines, interleukins, and protein expression levels of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In addition, Viphyllin suppressed the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. On the other hand, Viphyllin showed neuroprotective effect against neuronal oxidative damage caused by H2O2. Viphyllin lessened the expression B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein (BAX), cleaved caspase-9, and PARP-1 proteins associated with apoptosis. Our results indicate that Viphyllin ameliorated LPS-mediated inflammation in macrophages by regulating inflammation and Viphyllin exerted remarkable anti apoptotic effect against neuronal damage challenged by H2O2. Altogether, Viphyllin could be potential functional food ingredient for inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

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