TY - JOUR A1 - Odongo, Grace Akinyi A1 - Schlotz, Nina A1 - Baldermann, Susanne A1 - Neugart, Susanne A1 - Huyskens-Keil, Susanne A1 - Ngwene, Benard A1 - Trierweiler, Bernhard A1 - Schreiner, Monika A1 - Lamy, Evelyn T1 - African Nightshade (Solanum scabrum Mill.) BT - Impact of Cultivation and Plant Processing on Its Health Promoting Potential as Determined in a Human Liver Cell Model JF - Nutrients N2 - Plant cultivation and processing may impact nutrient and phytochemical content of vegetables. The present study aimed at determining the influence of cultivation and processing on the health promoting capacity of African nightshade (Solanum scabrum Mill.) leaves, an indigenous vegetable, rich in nutrients and phytochemicals. Anti-genotoxicity against the human liver carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB(1)) as determined by the comet assay and radical oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated in human derived liver (HepG2) cells. ROS scavenging activity was assessed using electron paramagnetic spin resonance and quantification of ARE/Nrf2 mediated gene expression. The cultivation was done under different environmental conditions. The processing included fermentation and cooking; postharvest ultraviolet irradiation (UV-C) treatment was also investigated. Overall, S. scabrum extracts showed strong health promoting potential, the highest potential was observed with the fermented extract, which showed a 60% reduction of AFB(1) induced DNA damage and a 38% reduction in FeSO4 induced oxidative stress. The content of total polyphenols, carotenoids and chlorophylls was indeed affected by cultivation and processing. Based on the present in vitro findings consumption of S. scabrum leaves could be further encouraged, preferentially after cooking or fermentation of the plant. KW - aflatoxin B1 KW - African indigenous vegetables KW - anti-genotoxicity KW - anti-oxidant activity KW - cancer chemoprevention KW - Solanaceae Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10101532 SN - 2072-6643 VL - 10 IS - 10 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Odongo, Grace Akinyi A1 - Schlotz, Nina A1 - Baldermann, Susanne A1 - Neugart, Susanne A1 - Ngwene, Benard A1 - Schreiner, Monika A1 - Lamy, Evelyn T1 - Effects of Amaranthus cruentus L. on aflatoxin B1- and oxidative stress-induced DNA damage in human liver (HepG2) cells JF - Food bioscience N2 - Amaranth is presently an underutilized crop despite its high content of micronutrients/bioactive phytochemicals and its capacity to thrive in harsh environmental condition. The present study aimed at determining the health benefits of Amaranthus cruentus L. in terms of protection against DNA damage induced by the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and oxidative stress using comet assay. The antioxidant potential was further investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and an ARE/Nrf2 reporter gene assay in vitro in a human liver model using the HepG2 cell line. Ethanolic extracts from fresh leaves grown under controlled conditions were used and additionally analyzed for their phytochemical content using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The extracts inhibited both AFB1- and oxidative stress-induced DNA damage in a concentration dependent way with a maximum effect of 57% and 81%, respectively. Oxidative stress triggered using ferrous sulfate was blocked by up to 38% (EPR); the potential to induce antioxidant enzymes using ARE/Nrf2-mediated gene expression was also confirmed. Based on these in vitro findings, further studies on the health-protecting effects of A. cruentus are encouraged to fully explore its health promoting potential and provide the scientific basis for encouraging its cultivation and consumption. KW - African indigenous vegetables KW - Aflatoxin B1 KW - Amaranthaceae KW - Amaranth KW - Aspergillus KW - Cancer prevention Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2018.09.006 SN - 2212-4292 SN - 2212-4306 VL - 26 SP - 42 EP - 48 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER -