Product development is based on a flexible methodology. The abaility to conceptualize and develop products comes from experience. Below is are some of the pubilication and patent abtracts developed by the team at Bioactives.

 

Characterization of Anthocyanins from Ajuga pyramidalis Metallica Crispa Cell Cultures

 

D. L. Madhavi, S. Juthangkoon, K. Lewen, M. D. Berber-Jimenez, and M. A. L. Smith

 

Abstract The anthocyanins from Ajuga pyramidalis Metallica Crispa cell cultures were characterized by a combination of HPLC, chemical hydrolysis, MS, and 1H NMR. Chromatographic analysis of the in vivo and in vitro samples showed the same suite of anthocyanins and relative composition. Chemical hydrolysis and mass spectral analysis of the major pigment from suspension cultures showed the presence of cyanidin, three glucoses, two ferulic acids, and malonic acid. The structure of the major pigment in the suspension cultures was determined to be 3-O-(6-O(E)-ferulyl)-2-O-[(6-O(E)-ferulyl)-(b-D-glucopyranosyl) -b-D-glucopyranosyl)-5-O-(6-O-malonyl)-(b-D-glucopyranosyl)cyanidin. The anthocyanins in the in vitro extract were more stable towards light compared to those in the in vivo extract. The initial degradation of the major pigment both from in vitro and in vivo sources was mainly due to demalonylation

 

In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Fruit Extracts from Vaccinium Species

 

Bomser, D. L. Madhavi, K. Singletary, and M. A. L. Smith

 

Abstract: Fruit extracts of four Voccinium species (lowbush blueberry, bilberry, cranberry, and lingonberry) were screened for anticarcinogenic compounds by a combination of fractionation and in vitro testing of their ability to induce the Phase II xenobiotic detoxification enzyme quinone reductase (QR) and to inhibit the induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis, by the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA). The crude extracts, anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin fractions were not highly active in QR induction whereas the ethyl acetate extracts were active QR inducers. The concentrations required to double QR activity (designated CDqr) for the ethyl acetate extracts of lowbush blueberry, cranberry, lingonberry, and bilberry were 4.2, 3.7, 1.3, and 1.0 mg tannic acid equivalents (TAE), respectively. Further fractionation of the bilberry ethyl acetate extract revealed that the majority of inducer potency was contained in a hexane/ chloroform subfraction (CDqr = 0.07 mg TAE). In contrast to their effects on QR, crude extracts of lowbush blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry were active inhibitors of ODC activity. The concentrations of these crude extracts needed to inhibit ODC activity by 50% (designated IC50) were 8.0, 7.0, and 9.0 mg TAE, respectively. The greatest activity in these extracts appeared to be contained in the polymeric proanthocyanidin fractions of the lowbush blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry fruits (IC50 = 3.0, 6.0, and 5.0 mg TAE, respectively). The anthocyanidin and ethyl acetate extracts of the four Vaccinium species were either inactive or relatively weak inhibitors of ODC activity. Thus, components of the hexane/chloroform fraction of bilberry and of the proanthocyanidin fraction of lowbush blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry exhibit potential anticarcinogenic activity as evaluated by in vitro screening tests.

 

Accumulation of Ferulic Acid in Cell Cultures of Ajuga pyramidalis Metallica Crispa

 

D. L. Madhavi, M. A. L. Smith, A. C. Linas, and G. Mitiku

 

Abstract Cell cultures of Ajuga pyramidalis Metallica Crispa accumulate ferulic acid, a potent antioxidant cinnamic acid. Most of the ferulic acid was found in a soluble form in the cultures. Maximum accumulation of ferulic acid was found in highly pigmented cultures (138 mg/100 g of fresh weight). The leaves from greenhouse-grown plants had lower levels of ferulic acid (24 mg/100 g of fresh weight) compared to the cultures. A close relationship was observed between anthocyanin and ferulic acid accumulation in the cultures. Supplementation with gibberellic acid, a specific anthocyanin inhibitor, at 10, 100, and 1000 mM reduced the levels of both anthocyanins and ferulic acid in the cultures. For information please

 

Isolation of Bioactive Constituents from Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) Fruits and Cell Cultures

 

D. L. Madhavi, J. Bomser, M. A. L. Smith, and K. Singletary

 

Abstract Tissues from bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits and callus cultures were extracted and fractionated to investigate phvtochemical bioactivity. Major fractions containing flavonoids (proanthocyanidins and anthocyanin pigments) and a hexane extract containing largely chlorophylls. carotenoids. sterols and lipids were isolated, and further screened for anticancer activity by in vitro testing of their ability to induce the phase II xenobiotic detoxification enzyme quinone reductase (QR) in murine hepatoma cells. Although flavonoid fractions were inactive in the assay. a clear, significant induction of QR activity resulted from testing the hexane extract. The concentration of the extract required to double QR specific activity was 9 mg/150 ml per well, which indicates that one or more components possess substantial QR-inducing capacity, comparable to known QR inducers such as furanone and catechol. b-Sitosterol and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin were identified as components of the active hexane extract, which also exhibited a growth suppressing effect against two human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and BT-20.

 

Nutraceutical composition for protection against solar radiation

 

D. L. Madhavi, M. A. L. Smith, A. C. Linas, and G. Mitiku

 

Abstract A nutraceutical composition, for the inhibition of photochemical damage to the skin and eyes induced by sunlight, particularly by exposure to ultraviolet radiation is disclosed. The blend is multifunctional and comprises a blend of chemopreventive natural products, which exert anti-radical mechanisms of prevention and intervention, anti-inflammatory effects, enhance the endogenous defense mechanisms, and also have the potential to reduce the radiation induced pigmentation. The active ingredients in the blend include green tea extract, lutein (zeaxanthin), lipoic acid, and selenomethionine.

 

Patent #6,254,898