Identification of Geographical Origins for Blackcurrant Cultivars Based on Amino Acid Compositions

In this study,a total of 36 blackcurrant(Ribes nigrum L.)cultivars grown in the Northeast of China were selected,including 12 cultivars introduced from Russia,10 from Poland and the rest from local areas.The physicochemical properties and amino acid compositions of these varieties were studied,and the geographical origins of blackcurrants were tracked by multivariate statistical analysis.A total of 23 amino acids were detected in all cultivars,which were rich in glutamine,glutamate,aspartate,asparagine,α-alanine,γ-aminobutyric acid,valine and serine.The content of the total amino acids in these cultivars was from 31.21 mg•100 g-1 to 319.40 mg•100 g-1.Stepwise linear discriminant analysis(SLDA)was introduced to perform satisfactory categorization for blackcurrant cultivars,which achieved a success rate of 88.9%for the identification of geographical origins.These results suggested that the compositions of amino acids in blackcurrants could effectively predict geographical origins.

Short Report of a Preliminary Open Study of <i>Synofit-Containing Bio-Curcumin, Greenlipped Mussel and Blackcurrant Leaf Extract</i>in Arthritis

To evaluate the potential benefit of Synofit—an association of Curcumin, Perna canaliculus green-mussels and blackcurrant leaf extracts, a real life open study was performed among 86 adult out patients suffering from Fibromyalgia (n = 22), low back pain (n = 33) or knee osteoarthritis (n = 31) who accepted to take 3 tablets a day during 1 week then 2 capsules of Synofit during 2 months in addition to their conventional therapy (mainly analgesics and anti-inflammatory) and then to report their evaluation of this complementary treatment. Statistical analysis included paired t test and when possible Wilcoxon signed rank test. Accordingly, the intermediate analysis showed that already within 4 weeks of treatment, an improvement quoted as “light” was statistically reported in patients with low back pain and knee osteoarthritis but not among those with fibromyalgia on pain, physical condition, global assessment of a benefit, quality of life but not on joint stiffness (although joint stiffness considered for the whole group was statistically improved). The limited number of patients and time duration of the study and the absence of double blind controlled study do not allow concluding on the efficacy but these preliminary analyses obtained from an intermediate analysis are encouraging for further studies.

Cloning of flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase and 3’-hydroxylase homologs from black currant(Ribes nigrum) and their differential expression at various fruit maturation stages

Flavonoid 3’-hydroxylase(F3’ H) and 3’,5’-hydroxylase(F3’5’ H) generate precursor molecules for the synthesis of cyanidin-based anthocyanins(red) and delphinidin-based anthocyanins(blue to purple) in Ribes nigrum L.(black currant). In this study, full-length 1780 and 165’-bp cDNA homologs of RnF3’5’ H1 and RnF3’ H1 from black currant were identified and cloned using a homologous cloning technique. Data revealed that Rn F3’5’ H1 and RnF3’ H1 are homologs that encode enzymes involved in anthocyanin synthesis from different plants,which phylogenetically cluster with the CYP75 B and CYP75 A families in the P45’ superfamily, respectively.The enzymes encoded by these two genes also shared a high homology with flavonoid hydroxylases identified from other plants. Furthermore, RnF3’5’ H1 and RnF3’ H1 levels were upregulated during fruit maturation. RnF3’5’ H1 levels were associated with both anthocyanin and soluble carbohydrate levels in blackcurrant, while RnF3’ H1 expression did not have such an association. The structure and expression patterns of RnF3’5’ H1 and RnF3’ H1 in blackcurrant were also characterized. Further studies should aid understanding of anthocyanin biosynthesis in black currant to develop molecular approaches and manipulate anthocyanin production in blackcurrant.

Single Oral Administration of Anthocyanin Rescues Smoking-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction in Young Smokers but Facilitates Oxidative Stress in Non-Smokers

Objectives: Smoking causes endothelial dysfunction, but it still remains unclear whether oral administration of anthocyanin brings benefits to endothelial function and redox states in young healthy smokers. We tested the hypothesis that supplement anthocyanin may rescue endothelial dysfunction and redox states in young healthy smokers. Methods: Young healthy male non-smoker (n = 8) and smokers (n = 14) were enrolled to measure the derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) before and 2 hours after one cigarette smoking or resting under administration of blackcurrant supplements (anthocyanins 210 mg) or not. Results: FMD, d-ROMs, and BAP at baseline were similar between non-smokers and smokers. One cigarette smoking induced a decrease in FMD at 2 hours (9.0% ± 2.6% vs 7.5% ± 2.3%, p Conclusions: Single oral administration of anthocyanin rescued smoking-induced endothelial dysfunction in young healthy smokers, but facilitated oxidative stress in non-smokers. When anthocyanin is taken as supplements, it seems important to pay attention to the dose and timing of administration.

Synofit Premium in Refractory Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Observational Study

In this retrospective observational study, information about pain and quality of life was collected for analysis from medical records of 85 patients with chronic low back pain who were treated for 3 months with Synofit? Premium (2 - 3 capsules daily), a liquid mixture of green-lipped mussel from New Zealand, blackcurrant leaf, and curcuma extract. Within the first 6 weeks of therapy, a significant clinical benefit was observed for relief from pain, need for pain-relieving drugs, and the interference of pain with personal care and lifting. This benefit was more pronounced at 3 months. The mixture was well tolerated without significant side effects. Adherence was estimated to be “good” to “very good.” Patients assessed global improvement and efficacy as “sufficient” to “good.” Based on this study, the mode of action of Synofit? Premium appears mainly to be analgesic, as reported by patients, and allows them to reduce the consumption of other pain-relieving substances and improve their quality of life. In conclusion, Synofit? Premium holds potential as a promising candidate alternative therapy for relief of low back pain and likely other painful rheumatic conditions, with almost no or minor side effects.