Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima: A Valuable Food with High Added Health Benefits

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate a natural extract, obtained from the Beta vulgaris plant, for its phytochemical composition and its beneficial health effects. Therefore, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as identification and quantification of phenolic compounds by HPLC, were assessed in leaves’ extract. Moreover, antioxidant activities were investigated using free radical scavenging tests, (ABTS+ and DPPH+) and reducing power assay (FRAP) as well as ferrous ions’ (Fe2+) chelating activity. The Antiglycation effect was also evaluated, using the BSA-fructose model, and the antidiabetic effect was determined by inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Additionally, the in vitro antitumor effect was quantified using the MTT assay, and the antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited potential antioxidant capacity with a higher effect for the methanolic extract. Furthermore, the in vitro antitumor activity of the methanolic extracts exhibited potent cytotoxic effects against two breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7. Moreover, Beta vulgaris extracts inhibit not only α-amylase and α-glucosidase, but also advanced glycation end-products’ (AGEs) formation, which would prevent diabetes’ complications. Beta vulgaris methanolic extract revealed also a high antibacterial effect against Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis. Taken together, these results revealed that Beta vulgaris leaves’ extracts constitute a valuable food and natural source of bioactive molecules that could be used for the development of new, natural drugs against cancer and diabetes.

Dittrichia viscosa L. Leaves: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds with Multiple Pharmacological Effects

“…These unstable compounds are transformed into Amadori products such as fructosamine [ 21 ]. Therefore, developing strategies to reduce fructosamine was a promising solution to delay diabetes complications [ 23 ]. The fructosamine inhibitory activity is shown in Figure 2 A. Fructose-induced glycated BSA was associated with significant inhibition of fructosamine formation after the four weeks of the study.…”

“…This activity was determined for the methanolic, and aqueous extracts of D. viscosa leaves using the protocol of Bouchmaa et al [ 23 ]. In glass tubes, 800 µL of increasing concentrations of each sample was added to 10 µL of 0.6 mM FeCl 2 .…”

“…PBMCs were considered normal cells in oncology studies conducted by Bouchmaa et al [ 23 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], as they came from healthy donors. So, according to the protocol of Bouchmaa et al [ 44 ], and under the supervision of an ethical committee for Biomedical Research of Rabat “reference number IORG0006594”, blood samples were collected from healthy donors in heparinized tubes, and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated using standard Ficoll-hypaque density centrifugation.…”

Cytotoxic effects of Trachyspermum ammi and Ferula assafoetida on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell lines

“…Therefore, it appears that TAEO can influence on cancer cell microenvironment by increasing antioxidant compounds, reducing oxidants, and improving oxidative stress. TAEO probably increases the expression of proapoptotic genes Bim, Bak, or Bax, arrests the cancer cell cycle, and inhibits cancer by producing ROS inflammatory mediators [20,21].…”

Edible Halophytes and Halo-Tolerant Species in Apulia Region (Southeastern Italy): Biogeography, Traditional Food Use and Potential Sustainable Crops

“…maritima (L.) Arcang.) [ 23 ], Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth. [ 24 ], caper ( Capparis spinosa L.) [ 25 ], Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke subsp.…”