Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant Activity, and Ameliorating Efficacy of Chenopodium quinoa Sprouts against CCl4-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is classified as one of the pseudo-cereal grains rich in both macronutrients and micronutrients. This study tracks changes in the polyphenol composition of red quinoa (RQ) and yellow quinoa (YQ) seeds during germination. The antioxidant bioactivity of raw and germinated seed was also determined in vitro. Phenolic acids and their derivatives and flavonoids were identified by using HPLC-DAD and quantified after 0, 3, and 6 days of germination. Subsequently, the extracts of 6-day-old quinoa sprouts were prepared to biologically evaluate their functional properties against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats. The results indicated that antioxidant activity (AOA) of total phenolic compounds (TPC), and flavonoids significantly increased in RQ and YQ sprouts during germination up to 9 days. RQ sprouts exhibited stronger bioactive compound diversity than YQ sprouts as observed in HPLC analysis. Among the 11 and 8 quantified polyphenols, ferulic acid and quercetin were predominant phenolic acid and flavonoid in RQ and YQ sprouts, respectively. After 6 days of germination, 16 and 8 polyphenols were detected and quantified in RQ and YQ sprouts, respectively. Interestingly, the treatment of rats at a dose of 30 mg of Gallic acid Equivalent (GAE) kg−1 significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase AST, and total bilirubin (TIBIL) and improved liver inflammation. Furthermore, RQ and YQ sprouts improved the blood profile by significantly decreasing low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Moreover, RQ and YQ sprout extracts significantly reduced malonaldehyde (MDA) and efficiently enhanced the reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in oxidative stress-induced rats as compared to CCl4-rats. In conclusion, red quinoa sprouts (RQS) and yellow quinoa sprouts (YQS) provide naturally synthesized polyphenols, possessing superior antioxidant activity, and their ethanolic extracts have promising effects and potential health benefits to counter induced oxidative stress. Incorporating quinoa sprouts as functional food ingredients should be considered and scaling-up its production is beneficial.

Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Profile, and Nephroprotective Potential of Anastatica hierochuntica Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts against CCl4-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

“…Biologically active components, such as phenolic compounds, present antioxidant activity as breakdowns of lipid oxidation chain reactions by giving hydrogen to active free radicals. This scavenging potential of phenolics to inhibit radicals was elucidated by their phenolic hydroxyl groups [ 8 , 10 , 22 ]. This phenolic acid has been described as an effective antioxidant component, including hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion [ 43 ].…”

“…As reported by Al-Qabba et al [ 10 ], 5 g of A. hierochuntica was extracted repeatedly with acetone and petroleum ether mixture (1:1, v / v ). Total carotenoids (TC) content was spectrophotometrically determined at 451 nm.…”

“…Group II received i.p. injection of a fresh mixture of equal volumes of CCl 4 and olive oil (at a dose of 1.0 mL kg −1 twice a week) and 0.5 mL distilled water orally/daily according to Al-Qabba et al [ 10 ] with minor modifications. Group III (reference group) received an intramuscular injection (i.m.)…”

“…The generation of reactive radicals has been implicated in CCl 4 -induced nephrotoxicity, which is involved in lipid peroxidation and accumulation of dysfunctional proteins, leading to injuries in kidneys [ 8 ]. Amazingly, traditional uses of medicinal plants have grown in recent years, and numerous investigations have confirmed their therapeutic role against several illnesses [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

The functional ingredients of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and physiological effects of consuming quinoa: A review

“…Recently, interest in quinoa seeds has increased again due to the bioactive compounds found in it. The presence of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and saponins suggests the potential beneficial effects of quinoa, because there is evidence indicating that these components may be associated with various biological activities, including anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant activities (Ahmed et al., 2020; Al‐Qabba et al., 2020; Cao et al., 2020; Repo‐Carrasco‐Valencia et al., 2010).…”