Compound’s Pre-Screening of <i>Withania somnifera</i>, <i>Bacopa monnieri</i>and <i>Centella asiatica</i>Extracts

Spectral fluorescence signature, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for identification of chemical and bioactive compounds were applied to study the plant extracts of Withania somnifera, Centella asiatica and Bacopa monnieri which are related to the possible treatment of mental diseases as Alzheimer, Parkinson and Depression. These plants are known for different positive phytotherapeutic effects on the human brain without negative post-, adverse or after effects to the treated individuals, and have been recommended in several medical studies. Therefore, we selected these plants for further analysis, based on the inhibition results of in vitro Amyloid Beta fibrillation tests made by previous measurements. With this study a first screening of the complex plant extract mixtures was performed, to get an initial overview about known and unknown ingredients. In all three plants, similar main compounds were identified, however in different quality and quantity. These may provide substantial information on which compound combinations might be mainly responsible for the positive effects and should be further investigated being responsible for reducing the fibrillation process of Amyloid Beta.

Microcalorimetric Study of Extruded Dog Food Containing Probiotic Micro-Organisms

Extruded dry dog food products claimed to have a probiotic ingredient of Enterococcus faecium (NCIMB10415) in the commercial available formulations under the brand name of ProBiotic LIVE (Bacterfield S.A., Luxembourg) were studied in the present work using a multichannel thermal activity monitor TAM III. Maximum specific growth rate, heat produced during different growth phases, and lag-phase duration were determined. The length of the lag-phase that can be used to determine the time necessary for the probiotic ingredient to restore its activity after consumption of probiotic containing extruded products was also measured. The calorimetric data confirmed the ability of the Enterococcus faecium to grow at the acidic pH conditions, modeling conditions of gastro-intestinal tract of dogs, and preserve its metabolic activity (viability) at the same level as at the neutral pH. The results obtained indicated that microcalorimetry was a precise and convenient tool for monitoring probiotic activity in complicated solid-state matrices.