Hovenia dulcis Thunb. pseudofruits as functional foods: Phytochemicals and bioactive properties in different maturity stages

Abstract

Pseudofruits of Hovenia dulcis, at five different ripening stages, were evaluated in order to characterize their bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds, tocopherols and fatty acids), and determine their biofunctionality (antitumor, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity). Epi(gallochatechin) was the main phenolic compound (24.7 mg/g, Hd05), a-tocopherol was the main isoform, increasing its content with the maturity process (5.43 mg/100 g, Hd04), C18:2 was the main polyunsaturated fatty acid (35.5%, Hd04), while C16:0 was the predominant saturated fatty acids (38%, Hd01). The most immature stages (Hd01-Hd02) showed antitumor activity against all tested tumor cell lines, mainly against NCI-H460; also Hd01 and Hd02 presented the highest antimicrobial activity, mainly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. This underutilized product demonstrated to be a rich source of phenolic compounds and tocopherols showing an interesting activity in immature stages (unfit for consumption in natura) and could be use as alternative bioactive ingredient for functional foods, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals.

Seasonal variation of bioactive properties and phenolic composition of Cynara cardunculus var. altilis

“…flowers had higher antioxidant potential than full flowering and post flowering stages. Also, the immature peduncles of Hovenia dulcis presented higher antioxidant activity comparing to peduncles at advanced maturity stages (Morales et al, 2017). To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study regarding the antioxidant activity of cardoon heads collected in different harvest stages and measuring their (antihaemolytic) activity by the OxHLIA assay.…”

Hovenia dulcis Thumberg: Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Regulatory Framework for Its Use in the European Union

“…Castro et al [ 42 ] reported a specific cytotoxicity, against P2/0 mouse myeloma and lymphoma cells, belonging to H. dulcis pseudo-fruits ethanol extract. Morales et al [ 3 ] investigated the anticancer and hepatotoxicity activity of hydro-methanolic extracts of H. dulcis pseudo-fruits at different maturation stages. Cancer cell lines used in this study included: MCF-7 (breast carcinoma), NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer), HeLa (cervical carcinoma), HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and HCT15 (colon carcinoma).…”

“…Fruits and peduncles possess antimicrobial, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, while seeds can be used in the treatment of alcohol intoxication for their diuretic properties. In Japan, China and Korea, fruits are also used as ingredients for food supplements and nutraceuticals [ 3 , 4 ]. All these biological properties can be related to the variety of secondary metabolites synthesized by the different plant parts.…”

Hepatoprotective effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid-enriched fermented Hovenia dulcis extract on ethanol-induced liver injury in mice

“…Hovenia dulcis is among those plants that are commonly used in Korean traditional medicine to relieve alcohol-related illnesses. The plant is proven to contain various metabolites, including, polyphenols, polysaccharides, vitamin C and flavonoids, which are related to immune-stimulatory, anti-lipidemic, antiinflammatory, anti-adipogenic and anti-oxidant activities [5][6][7]. In China and Korea, various extracts of the plant are available in the market as tablets, powders, liquids or granules.…”