ABSTRACT:Introduction -Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is an aromatic plant common in Tunisia and it is widely consumed as a tea in traditional cuisine and in folk medicine to treat various illnesses. Currently, most research efforts have been focused on rosemary essential oil, alcoholic and aqueous extracts, however, little is reported on rosemary infusion composition. Objective -To investigate compounds present in rosemary tea obtained from Rosmarinus officinalis L. collected in a sub-humid area of Tunisia in order to assess whether the traditional rosemary tea preparation method could be considered as a reference method for rosemary's compounds extraction. Methodology -Qualitative characterisation of Rosmarinus officinalis tea obtained after rosemary infusion in boiled water was determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). Quantitative analysis relies on high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Results -Forty-nine compounds belonging to six families, namely flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenolic terpenes, jasmonate, phenolic glycosides, and lignans were identified. To the best of the authors' knowledge eucommin A is characterised for the first time in rosemary. Rosmarinic acid (158.13 μg/g dried rosemary) was the main compound followed then by feruloylnepitrin (100.87 μg/g) and luteolin-3 0 -O-(2 00 -O-acetyl)-β-D-glucuronide (44.04 μg/g). Among quantified compounds, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside was the compound with the lowest concentration. Conclusion -The infusion method allows several polyphenols present in rosemary tea to be extracted, therefore it could be a reference method for rosemary's compounds extraction. Moreover, traditional Tunisian Rosmarinus officinalis tea consumption is of interest for its rich phenolic content.

Rosemary polyphenols are partially metabolized in both the intestine and liver. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

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Luteolin is a natural flavone with neurotrophic effects observed on different neuronal cell lines. In the present study, we aimed to assess the effect of luteolin on hNSCs fate determination and the LPS-induced neuroinflammation in a mouse model of depression with astrocytogenesis defect. hNSCs were cultured in basal cell culture medium (control) or medium supplemented with luteolin or AICAR, a known inducer of astrogenesis. A whole-genome transcriptomic analysis showed that luteolin upregulated the expressions of genes related to neurotrophin, dopaminergic, hippo, and Wnt signaling pathways, and downregulated the genes involved in p53, TNF, FOXO, and Notch signaling pathways. We also found that astrocyte-specific gene GFAP, as well as other genes of the key signaling pathways involved in astrogenesis such as Wnt, BMP, and JAK-STAT pathways were upregulated in luteolin-treated hNSCs. On the other hand, neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis-related genes, TUBB3, NEUROD 1 and 6, and MBP, were downregulated in luteolin-treated hNSCs. Furthermore, immunostaining showed that percentages of GFAP+ cells were significantly higher in luteolin- and AICAR-treated hNSCs compared to control hNSCs. Additionally, RT-qPCR results showed that luteolin upregulated the expressions of GFAP, BMP2, and STAT3, whereas the expression of TUBB3 remained unchanged. Next, we evaluated the effects of luteolin in LPS-induced mice model of depression that represents defects in astrocytogenesis. We found that oral administration of luteolin (10 mg/Kg) for eight consecutive days could decrease the immobility time on tail suspension test, a mouse behavioral test measuring depression-like behavior, and attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory responses by significantly decreasing IL-6 production in mice brain-derived astrocytes and serum, and TNFα and corticosterone levels in serum. Luteolin treatment also significantly increased mature BDNF, dopamine, and noradrenaline levels in the hypothalamus of LPS-induced depression mice. Though the behavioral effects of luteolin did not reach statistical significance, global gene expression analyses of mice hippocampus and brain-derived NSCs highlighted the modulatory effects of luteolin on different signaling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Altogether, our findings suggest an astrocytogenic potential of luteolin and its possible therapeutic benefits in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. However, further studies are required to identify the specific mechanism of action of luteolin.

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In the last decade, most of the evidence on the clinical benefits of including cruciferous foods in the diet has been focused on the content of glucosinolates (GSL) and their corresponding isothiocyanates (ITC), and mercapturic acid pathway metabolites, based on their capacity to modulate clinical, biochemical, and molecular parameters. The present systematic review summarizes findings of human studies regarding the metabolism and bioavailability of GSL and ITC, providing a comprehensive analysis that will help guide future research studies and facilitate the consultation of the latest advances in this booming and less profusely researched area of GSL for food and health. The literature search was carried out in Scopus, PubMed and the Web of Science, under the criteria of including publications centered on human subjects and the use of Brassicaceae foods in different formulations (including extracts, beverages, and tablets), as significant sources of bioactive compounds, in different types of subjects, and against certain diseases. Twenty-eight human intervention studies met inclusion criteria, which were classified into three groups depending on the dietary source. This review summarizes recent studies that provided interesting contributions, but also uncovered the many potential venues for future research on the benefits of consuming cruciferous foods in our health and well-being. The research will continue to support the inclusion of GSL-rich foods and products for multiple preventive and active programs in nutrition and well-being.

Significance: Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are the main phenolic acids in the western diet. Harmonizing the available information on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of HCAs is fundamental to unraveling the compounds responsible for their health effects. This work systematically assessed pharmacokinetics, including urinary recovery, and bioavailability of HCAs and their metabolites, based on literature reports. Recent Advances: Forty-seven intervention studies with coffee, berries, herbs, cereals, tomato, orange, grape products, and pure compounds, as well as other sources yielding HCA metabolites, were included. Up to 105 HCA metabolites were collected, mainly acyl-quinic and C 6 -C 3 cinnamic acids. C 6 -C 3 cinnamic acids, such as caffeic and ferulic acid, reached the highest blood concentrations (maximum plasma concentration [C max ] = 423 n M ), with time to reach C max (T max ) values ranging from 2.7 to 4.2 h. These compounds were excreted in urine in higher amounts than their phenylpropanoic acid derivatives (4% and 1% of intake, respectively), but both in a lower percentage than hydroxybenzene catabolites (11%). Data accounted for 16 and 18 main urinary and blood HCA metabolites, which were moderately bioavailable in humans (collectively 25%). Critical Issues: A relevant variability emerged. It was not possible to unequivocally assess the bioavailability of HCAs from each ingested source, and data from some plant based-foods were absent or inconsistent. Future Directions: A comprehensive study investigating the ADME of HCAs derived from their most important dietary sources is urgently required. Eight key metabolites were identified and reached interesting plasma C max concentrations and urinary recoveries, opening up new perspectives to evaluate their bioactivity at physiological concentrations. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 510–541.

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