Anti-inflammatory potential of black cumin seed oil and its nanoemulsion formulation against lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice

Objective:To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of black cumin seed oil(BCSO)and its nanoemulsion on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced liver injury in mice.Methods:LPS-induced acute liver injury mouse model was used to evaluate the effects of BCSO and its nanoemulsion formulation on liver function.Hepatic inflammatory markers including Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),interleukin(IL)-1β,heme-oxygenase 1,BAX,and BCL-2 were assessed using real-time PCR.Additionally,protein levels of reduced glutathione,tumor necrosis factor-α,and IL-6 were measured using ELISA,and histological analysis was performed.Indomethacin was used as a standard positive control for comparison.Results:BCSO reduced LPS-induced liver injury and exhibited strong anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating the expression of TLR4,IL-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,and heme-oxygenase 1.Additionally,BCSO demonstrated antioxidant properties by increasing reduced glutathione protein levels and decreasing key apoptotic markers BAX and BCL-2 in hepatocytes.The nanoemulsion formulation further enhanced these anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and anti-apoptotic effects,and histological examination confirmed this effect.Combining BCSO with indomethacin at a lower dose improved efficacy,thereby reducing its potential side effects.Conclusions:The investigation reveals the anti-inflammatory impact of BCSO and its nanoemulsion formulation on LPS-induced liver oxidative stress,inflammation,and apoptosis.

Synthesis and Characterization of Phenyl Camellia oleifera Seed Oil Ester Plasticizing PVC

Plasticizers are essential additives in the processing of polyvinyl chloride(PVC),with phthalate plasticizers being widely used.However,these conventional plasticizers have been shown to be harmful to human health and environmentally unfriendly,necessitating the exploration of eco-friendly bio-based alternatives.In this study,Camellia oleifera seed oil,a specialty resource in China,was utilized as a raw material and reacted with 4,4′-Methylenebis(N,N-diglycidylaniline)(AG-80)to synthesize Phenyl Camellia seed Oil Ester(PCSOE).PCSOE was employed as a plasticizer to prepare modified PVC films with varying concentrations,with the conventional plasticizer dioctyl phthalate(DOP)serving as a control.Experimental results demonstrate that PSCOE-plasticized PVC films exhibit enhanced hydrophilicity,tensile strength,and thermal stability compared to DOP-modified PVC films.The contact angle of PSCOE-plasticized PVC films ranges from 66.26°to 78.48°,which is generally lower than the contact angle of DOP-modified PVC films at 78.40°,indicating improved hydrophilicity due to the modification with PCSOE.The tensile strength of PSCOE-plasticized PVC films ranges from 17.73 to 20.17 MPa,all surpassing the value of 16.41 MPa for DOP-modified PVC films.Moreover,the temperatures corresponding to 5%,10%,and 50%weight loss for PVC samples modified with PCSOE are higher than those for DOP.Hence,PCSOE presents a viable alternative to DOP as a plasticizer for PVC materials.

Development of a KASP Marker on Chromosome A05 for Seed Oil Content of Brassica napus

In order to identify the molecular markers that can be widely used in the breeding of Brassica napus L.varieties with high seed oil content under different genetic backgrounds,we developed a Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR(KASP)marker for seed oil content on the basis of the results from available studies.The verification in the F_(2) population showed that the marker was closely linked to the quantitative trait locus(QTL)for oil content on chromosome A05.The findings helped to breed the‘Fengyou’varieties with high seed oil content in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

Study of Dielectric Relaxation of Insulating Oil from Lagenaria siceraria Seeds

The present work concerns the study of the dielectric relaxation of dielectric oil based on Lagenaria siceraria (calabash) seeds. Dielectric spectroscopy was used to measure the loss angle, the dielectric constant and the electrical modulus. Three relaxation processes in calabash oil were identified. It was also found that the relative permittivity decreases with increasing temperature and frequency. A study of the imaginary part of the electrical modulus was done and revealed a relaxation process at low frequencies. At higher frequencies, the dielectric relaxation is thermally activated. The increase in temperature leads to a decrease in the relaxation rate. The result obtained indicates that relaxation type is not of the Debye type in the high-frequency region. The Cole-Cole model of the imaginary part of the permittivity as a function of its real part in calabash oil for different temperatures was drawn and analyzed. It shows the existence of a negative temperature coefficient of resistance in the fluid and helps identifying a relaxation process in the conductivity of the sample studied. It highlights the presence of Debye relaxation which characterizes the presence of an abnormal dispersion of the dielectric constant over a frequency range. Calabash seed oil exhibits better dielectric constant (relative permittivity) compared to other oils.

Functional evaluation for effective compositions in seed oil of Korean pine

The effect of seed oil of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) on the rats' blood-fat and its anti-ageing function was stud-ied for appraising the efficacy of the seed oil of Korean pine. Sixty experimental rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (half males and half females in each group) as normal control group, high fat diet control group, and three groups (Group 1 Group 2, Group 3) that were fed with feedstuff with the contents of the seed oil of 2.0g/(kgd-1), 4.0g/(kgd-1) and 8.0g/(kgd-1), respec-tively. The indexes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and anti-oxidation capacity (AOC) were measured by Reagent Kit method. It was found that the seed oil of the Korean pine could reduce the content of triglyc-eride and improve SOD as well as GSH-PX activity in serum. These indexes of the rats in Group 2 fed with Korean pine seed oil of 4.0 g/(kgd-1) reached the significant level and those of rats in Group 3 fed with the seed oil of 8.0 g/(kgd-1) reached the extremely significant level. The results indicated the seed oil of Korean pine had function of regulating the level of blood-fat and anti-ageing.

Evaluation of Seed Oil Content in Cucumber Germplasm

With 35 different ecological types of cucumber germplasm resources as test materials, the soxhlet extraction was used to extract the crude fat from the cu- cumber seeds to analyze the seed oil content, with the aim to lay foundations for the application and new variety breeding related with cucumber seed oil. The results showed that there were significant differences in seed oil content between different cucumber varieties with the amplitude of variation rangeing from 31.03% to 40.59%, among which the seed oil content of south China cucumber was the highest of 40.59%, while the seed oil content of north China cucumber was the lowest of 31.03%. Four va.rieties with oil content of greater than 38.50% and four varieties with oil content of less than 32.01% werescreened out.

Effects of Exogenous Vc on Seed Germination and Physiological Properties of Oil Sunflower(Helianthus annuus) under Salt Stress

[Objective] This study aimed to provide the theoretical and technical basis for alleviating salt damages in production practice of oil sunflower （Helianthus annuus）. [Method] Seeds of oil sunflower were used as experimental materials and treated with 120 mmol/L NaCI solution and 0-200 mg/L Vc solution during the germina- tion process, to investigate the effects of exogenous Vc on seed germination and physiological properties of oil sunflower under salt stress. [Result] Under salt stress, with the increase of Vc concentration, germination potential and germination rate of oil sunflower seeds, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and peroxidase （POD） activities and proline （Pro） content of oil sunflower seedlings increased first and then declined, which reached the maixmum in 80 mg/L Vc treatment, 120 mg/L Vc treatment and 80 mg/L Vc treatment, respectively; malondialdehyde （MDA） content of oil sunflower seedlings declined first and then increased, which reached the minimum in 160 mg/L Vc treatment. [Conclusion] To varying degrees, Vc could improve germination potential and germination rate of oil sunflower seeds and promote seedling growth under salt stress, thus alleviating the damages of salt stress to seed germination and seedling growth of oil sunflower.

Extraction of Perilla Seed Oil Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and GC-MS Analysis

[Objective] This study was aimed to determine the optimal parameters for the extraction of perilla seed oil to obtain high-quality perilla seed oil and analyze its compositions. [Method] In this study, perilla seed oil was extracted using supercritical CO2 （SC-CO2）. The effects of extraction time, temperature and pressure were investigated by single-factor experiments and orthogonal array testing （ORT）. The chemical compositions of extracted perilla seed oil were investigated by GC-MS. [Result] The optimal conditions for the extraction of perilla seed oil using SC-CO2 were extraction time of 4 h, extraction temperature at 40 ℃, and extraction pressure at 23 MPa. Under these conditions, the extraction yield of perilla seed oil was maximized to 12.43%. GC-MS analysis revealed that perilla seed oil was a complex mixture containing 76.183% α-linolenic acid. [Conclusion] Supercritical CO2 extraction was proven to be an effective technology to extract oil from perilla seed, and GCMS was also a satisfactory method for analyzing the compositions of perilla seed oil.

Ultrasound-associated extraction of seed oil of Korean pine

Experiment on ultrasound- associated extraction of seed oil of Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis) was conducted in Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. The factorsaffecting extraction yield, such as ultrasonic frequency, extracting temperature, extracting timeand the ratio of material to liquid (ratio of Korean pine seed to absolute alcohol), were analyzedunder specific condition and the optimal extracting parameters were obtained as the ultrasonicfrequency 32 000 Hz, the extracting temperature 80 ℃, the extracting time 50 min, and the ratio ofmaterial to liquid 1: 30. The study demonstrates that ultrasound is a reliable and great efficiencytool for the fast extraction of Korean pine seed oil.

Evaluation of protective effect of cactus pear seed oil(Opuntia ficusincida L. MILL.) against alloxan-induced diabetes in mice

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant power of cactus pear seed oil [Opuntia ficusincida L. MILL.(CPSO)] and its protective effect against chemically induced diabetes mellitus in mice. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant effect of CPSO was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) scavenging assay. The preventive effect was conducted on Swiss albino mice treated with CPSO(2 m L/kg, per os), before and after a single intraperitoneal alloxan administration(100 mg/kg). Survival rate, body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured and histopathological analysis of pancreas was performed to evaluate alloxaninduced tissue injuries. Results: CPSO exhibited an antioxidant effect in DPPH scavenging assay. Moreover, the administration of CPSO(2 m L/kg) significantly attenuated alloxaninduced death and hyperglycemia(P<0.001) in treated mice. Morphometric study of pancreas revealed that CPSO significantly protected islets of langerhans against alloxan induced-tissue alterations. Conclusions: Based on theses results, CPSO can prevent alloxan-induced-diabetes by quenching free radicals produced by alloxan and inhibiting tissue injuries in pancreatic β-cells.

Primary metabolite contents are correlated with seed protein and oil traits in near-isogenic lines of soybean

Soybean(Glycine max[L.]Merr.)is an important source of human dietary protein and vegetable oil.A strong negative correlation between protein and oil contents has hindered efforts to improve soybean seed quality.The metabolic and genetic bases of soybean seed composition remain elusive.We evaluated metabolic diversity in a soybean near-isogenic line(NIL)population derived from parents(JD12 and CMSD)with contrasting seed oil contents.Using GC-TOF/MS,we compared seed primary metabolites of high protein/low oil lines,low protein/high oil lines,and their parents.Principal-components analysis showed that metabolic profiles of all progeny lines could be discriminated based on protein and oil contents.Univariate analysis revealed wide variation and transgressive segregation of metabolites in the population.Twenty-eight annotated metabolites,in particular free asparagine,free 3-cyanoalanine,and L-malic acid,were correlated with seed protein content or seed oil content or seed protein and oil content.These results shed light on the metabolic and genetic basis of soybean seed composition.

Diversity in seed oil content and fatty acid composition in Acer species with potential as sources of nervonic acid

Nervonic acid(NA,cis-15-tetracosenoic acid)is a very long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid that has been shown to be a core component of nerve fibers and nerve cells.It can be used to treat and prevent many neurological diseases.At present,commercially available NA is mainly derived from Acer truncatum seeds,which contain about 5%e6%NA in their seed oil.The aim of this study were to identify and analyze NA-containing Acer species that could be used as NA resource plants.For this purpose,46 Acer species seeds were collected in China and in some or all of the seed oils from these species 15 fatty acids were detected,including linoleic acid,oleic acid(C18:1D9,C18:1D11),erucic acid,palmitic acid,NA,linolenic acid(C18:3D6,9,12,C18:3D9,12,15),eicosenoic acid(C20:1D11,C20:1D13),stearic acid,behenic acid,tetracosanoic acid,arachidic acid,and docosadienoic acid.Nervonic acid was detected in all samples,but the content was highly variable among species.NA content over 9%was detected in eleven species,of which Acer elegantulum had the highest levels(13.90%).The seed oil content,seed weight,and fatty acid profiles varied among species,but the comprehensive evaluation value(W)showed that A.coriaceifolium could be a new potential NA resources plant.The results also showed that NA was significantly negatively correlated with palmitic acid,oleic acid,and eicosenoic acid,but positively correlated with eicosadienoic acid,behenic acid,erucic acid,and tetracosanoic acid,which indicate the probable pathway for NA biosynthesis in Acer plants.This study has identified Acer species that may serve as NA resources and will help guide subsequent species breeding programs.

Microwave-assisted solvent extraction of castor oil from castor seeds

This study was aimed at evaluating the physicochemical properties and oxidation stability of castor oil using microwave-assisted solvent extraction(MAE). MAE was performed using 5% ethanol in hexane as solvent at different extraction times, power intensities and solvent-to-feed(S/F, ml of solvent to gram of feed) ratios.The process parameters were optimized by statistical approach using historical data design of response surface method(RSM). The oils were characterized for yield, physicochemical properties, dielectric properties and oxidation stability, and comparison was also made with oil extracted using Soxhlet method. Results show that the maximum oil yield of 37% was obtained at 20 min with microwave power intensity of 330 W and S/F ratio of 20. The main fatty acid composition of castor oil is ricinoleic acid. The density, refractive index, dielectric properties and oxidation stability of oils are not affected by the extraction methods and extraction parameters of MAE. However, the MAE-extracted oil is more viscous compared to that by Soxhlet method. With extra caution on oil oxidation, MAE could be a promising solvent extraction method with an 86% less in processing time and a higher yield.

Sperm quality improvement after date seed oil in Vitro supplementation in spontaneous and induced oxidative stress

In vitro supplementation with date seed oil （DSO） can protect spermatozoa against hydrogen peroxide （HiO2）- mediated damage and can improve sperm function, possibly owing to antioxidant properties. We tested the antioxidant effects of DSO on human sperm motility, sperm viability, reacted acrosome and lipid peroxidation assessed in vitro after H202-mediated oxidative damage in spermatozoa. Sixteen patients （mean age： 35 years; range： 25-45 years） referred to the Histology-Embryology Laboratory of the Medicine Faculty of Sfax for semen analysis after 12-24 months of sexual intercourse without conception were selected. After spermiogram, sperm selection by twointerface discontinuous Sill Select gradient was performed, and selected spermatozoa were used in four experimental assays： control; incubation with 100um H2O2; incubation with 0.1% DSO; and co-incubation with 0.1% DSO and 100 um H2O2. Motility and viability were determined using World Health Organization criteria. Acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation were assessed by staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate-Pisum sativum and spectrophotometric measurement of malondialdehyde, respectively. Results showed that incubation with H2O2 alone led to a significant increase in lipid peroxidation （57.83%, P 〈 0.05） associated with a significant decrease in sperm motility, sperm viability （after 30 min and 24 h） and percentage of reacted acrosome （P 〈 0.05）. Date seed oil im- proved sperm motility after 24 h of incubation （P 〈 0.05） and protected spermatozoa against the deleterious effects of H2O2 on motility, viability, acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation. We conclude that supplementation with DSO may have a function in antioxidant protection against male infertility.

A novel oil-in-water drilling mud formulated with extracts from Indian mango seed oil

Drilling muds with less environmental impact are highly desired over conventional diesel-based mud systems,especially in light of the emerging strict environmental laws.In this article,a novel oil-in-water(O/W)emulsion drilling fluid formulated with a methyl ester extracted from Indian mango seed oil was evaluated.The effect of the weight percent of different constituents of the emulsion/suspension including the oil phase,bentonite,and polyanionic cellulose polymer on the rheology and the fluid loss was examined.The methyl ester oil phase/mud system displayed superior physical,chemical,rheological and filtration properties relative to the diesel and the mango seed oil.Eco-toxicity of the methyl ester and diesel(O/W)emulsion mud systems was assessed using the acute lethal concentration test.The Indian mango methyl ester(O/W)emulsion mud displayed much less impact on fish population.Flow characteristics collected from the flow model at 85°C suggested excellent shear thinning behavior of the Indian mango methyl ester(IMME)(O/W)emulsion mud.Moreover,the IMME(O/W)emulsion displayed strong pseudoplastic behavior,an attractive feature in a drilling mud,with increasing clay content and polymer concentration.The methyl ester mud was thermally stable over a wide range of the constituent concentrations.Furthermore,a particle size analysis revealed that engineered drilling muds targeting suspension of particles with certain size range can be formulated by changing the volume fraction of the methyl ester in the mud system.

<i>Wrinkled</i>1 (WRI1) Homologs, AP2-Type Transcription Factors Involving Master Regulation of Seed Storage Oil Synthesis in Castor Bean (<i>Ricinus communis</i>L.)

Among APETALA2 (AP2)-type plant specific transcription factor family, WRINKLED1 (WRI1), has appeared to be a master gene transcriptionally regulating a set of carbon metabolism- and fatty acid synthesis (FAS)-related genes responsible for seed specific triacylglycerols (TAGs) storage in oil plants. B3 type transcription factors, such as ABI3 and FUS3, are known to be involved in seed development, such as seed storage protein synthesis and maturation. Based on the recent whole genome sequence data of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), putative WRI1 homologs (RcWRI1, RcWRI2) specifically expressed in castor bean seed have been identified by comparing organ specific expression profiles among seed development-related transcription factors, seed storage specific genes (Ricin, RcOleosin) and a set of FAS genes including genes for sucrose synthase (RcSUS2), biotin carboxyl carrier protein (a subunit of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, RcBCCP2) and ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase (RcKAS1). Immunoreactive signals with WRI1, FUS3 and ABI5-related polypeptides were also detected in seed specifically, consistent with the expression profiles of seed development-related genes. The WRI1 binding consensus sites, [CnTnG](n)(7)[CG], designated as the AW-box, were found at the promoter region of RcBCCP2 and RcKAS1. Thus, RcWRI1 possibly play a pivotal role in seed specific TAGs storage during seed development by directly activating FAS -related genes.

Antioxidant,Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Sambucus williamsii Seed Oil

[Objectives] To explore the antioxidant activity of Sambucus williamsii seed oil. [Methods]DPPH scavenging method and Prussian blue method( total reducing power) were used. S. williamsii seed oil has antioxidant activity. In the DPPH scavenging free radical experiment,S. williamsii oil showed the ability to scavenge free radicals,and its scavenging ability had linear relationship with oil concentration( R =0. 999 6). Besides,the IC_(50) value of S. williamsii seed oil scavenging DPPH free radicals was 61. 30 ± 0. 88 mg/mL. In the total reducing power measurement experiment,the S. williamsii seed oil has a reducing ability,and its reducing ability is proportional to the oil concentration,and has the concentration dependence. Through studying the inhibitory effect of S. williamsii seed oil on α-glucosidase,the hypoglycemic activity of S. williamsii seed oil was determined. The ability of samples to inhibit α-glucosidase was judged through measuring the absorbance at 400 nm of the reaction system. [Results]In the concentration range of 1. 56-25. 00 mg/mL,the S. williamsii seed oil can effectively inhibit α-glucosidase,and the inhibition rate was 62. 66%-85. 22%. The animal in vivo experiment was used to determine the hypolipidemic activity of the S. williamsii seed oil. First,a high fat modelwas established,S. williamsii seed oil was given through intragastric administration. Then,total cholesterol( TC),triglyceride( TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol( HDL-C),and low density lipoprotein cholesterol( LDL-C) were measured. Through comparison of high,medium and low dose groups of S. williamsii seed oil with the high fat modelcontrol group,it was found that the TC,TG,LDL-C levels were significantly decreased( P < 0. 01) and the HDL-C levels were significantly increased( P < 0. 05),indicating that S. williamsii seed oil can effectively reduce the levels of TC,TG,LDL-C in the serum of hyperlipidemic mice,and effectively inhibit the decrease of HDL-C level,thus S. williamsii seed oil can reduce blood lipids in mice,namely,has hypolipidemic effects. In addition,the greater the dose of S. williamsii seed oil,the more obvious the effect of blood lipid levels in mice,indicating that the hypolipidemic effect of S. williamsii seed oil was dose dependent. [Conclusions] S. williamsii seed oil has reducing ability,and there is a significant dose-effect relationship in the concentration range of 2-10 mg/mL. As natural plant oil,S. williamsii seed oil has the advantages of good stability,small toxic and side effects,and strong effect,and has high value of developing new antioxidants.

Determination of Tea Saponin in Camellia Seed Oil with UV and HPLC Analysis

A simple procedure is described for the HPLC and UV determination of tea saponin in tea seed oil. Determinate was accomplished with UV wavelength detection 550 nm for saponification sample, and HPLC was done under conditions: C18 analytical column of TC-C18, 4. 6 × 250 mm, column temperature at room temperature, injected sample volume was 10 μL, mobile phase’s methanol, flow-rate 0.8 ml/min and detection wavelength 280 nm.

New Process for Extracting Oil and Starch from Tea Seeds

A new process for extracting oil and starch from tea seed was introduced. The new process included one special link compared with all of the processes used now for tea seed oil and starch production. The link was static fermentation by which oil bodies and starch were separated naturally from tea seeds. By the process, tea seed oil and starch which were in conformity with government standards about edible oil and starch were successfully produced with 16% and 8% of production rate, respectively. The new process has many advantages, such as more simple equipments, lower production cost and whole natural products, etc..

Effect of Shade on Seed Protein, Oil, Fatty Acids, and Minerals in Soybean lines Varying in Seed Germinability in the Early Soybean Production System

The cause of poor seed quality (germination) of soybean produced in the Early Soybean Production System in the midsouth U.S.A. is still not completely understood. Temperature, solar radiation, and soybean genotype may all be important factors involved. The objective of this research was to evaluate seed composition, mineral level, and nitrogen assimilation in high and low germinability soybean plant introductions in a full-sunlight (unshaded) and a low-light intensity (shaded) environments. Shade netting was employed in field plots that reduced light intensity by about 50% and air temperature by about 10?F/6?C (10%). A two-year field experiment was conducted on soybean accessions with high germinability (PI 587982A and PI 603723), low germinability (PI 80480 and PI 84976-1), and on soybean cultivars (DSR-3100 RR STS and Pella 86). Results showed that shade resulted in higher total oil, linoleic and linolenic acids, and lower protein and oleic acid. Shade also resulted in lower nitrogen assimilation, leaf chlorophyll concentration, but unshade resulted in higher total seed boron, iron, and nitrogen concentrations. Seed structural boron was positively correlated with germination and protein. Structural boron percentage was consistently higher under shade than under unshade in PI 80480, PI 84976-1, DSR-3100 RR STS, and Pella 86, but consistently higher under unshade than under shade in higher germinability lines PI 587982A and PI 603723, suggesting that different distribution mechanisms of structural boron exist between genotypes. The positive correlation between germination and structural B and between protein and structural B signify a possible role of B in seed quality traits. Our research demonstrated that light intensity, combined with temperature, can alter seed constituents. Higher germinability lines had higher germination rates and lower percentages of hardseededness, desirable traits for soybean seed.