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One of the many advantages of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is the possibility of using it in sequential and selective approaches. This is due to the use of a dynamic extraction mode in addition to the possibility of altering the composition of the modifier during the extraction process. In this study, the optimization of Calendula officinalis L. extraction of non-polar and polar compounds was achieved using three-level Box-Behnken designs (BBD). For non-polar compounds, the factors were pressure, temperature, and EtOH percentage. As for the polar compounds, the three variables were temperature, the total modifier percentage, and H[sub.2]O added in the modifier as an additive. The recovery of selectively rich extracts in triterpendiol esters and narcissin was possible using a sequential two-step SFE. The first step was performed at 80 °C and 15% EtOH, and the second at 40 °C and 30% EtOH:H[sub.2]O 80:20 v:v with a total of 60 min of extraction. Additionally, the SFE extraction of non-polar compounds was scaled up on a pilot-scale extractor, demonstrating similar results. Finally, the SFE results were compared to ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE).

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal extraction conditions for total flavonoids from S. bigelovii using microwave-assisted extraction and to analyze the protective effect of total flavonoids from S. bigelovii on alcoholic liver injury in mice. The optimization of the process conditions for the microwave-assisted extraction of total flavonoids from S. bigelovii was performed using response surface methodology, and an alcohol-induced acute liver injury model in mice was used to investigate the effects of different doses of total flavonoids (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg) on the levels and activities of serum alanine aminotransferase kits (ALT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase kits (AST), superoxide dismutase kits (SOD), glutathione peroxidase kits (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA). We performed hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining analysis on pathological sections of mouse liver tissue, and qRT-PCR technology was used to detect the expression levels of the inflammatory factors IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α. The results revealed that the optimal extraction process conditions for total flavonoids in S. bigelovii were a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:30 (g/mL), an ethanol concentration of 60%, an extraction temperature of 50 °C, an ultrasound power of 250 W, and a yield of 5.71 ± 0.28 mg/g. Previous studies have demonstrated that the flavonoids of S. bigelovii can significantly inhibit the levels of ALT and AST in the serum (p < 0.001), reduce MDA levels (p < 0.001), increase the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px (p < 0.001), and inhibit the IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α gene expression levels (p < 0.001) of inflammatory factors. The total flavonoids of S. bigelovii exert a protective effect against alcoholic liver injury by reducing the levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation caused by alcohol. The results of this study lay the foundation for the high-value utilization of S. bigelovii and provide new resources for the development of liver-protective drugs.

Two 2\"-isopropenyl dihydrofuran isoflavonoids (1 and 3), one 2\"-isopropenyl dihydrofuran chromone (2), as well as 13 known compounds were isolated from the herbs of Crotalaria albida. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated via NMR and HRESIMS analyses. The 2\" S absolute configuration of 1 and 2 were deduced by comparing their NOESY spectra with that of 3, which was determined via single crystal X-ray diffraction (CuK[alpha]). The 3R absolute configuration of 1 was determined by CD. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 inhibit the adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 through down-regulation of PPAR-[gamma] activity.

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring nonsteroidal phenolic plant compounds that, due to their molecular structure and size, resemble vertebrate steroids estrogens. This review is focused on plant flavonoids isoflavones, which are ranked among the most estrogenic compounds. The main dietary sources of isoflavones for humans are soybean and soybean products, which contain mainly daidzein and genistein. When they are consumed, they exert estrogenic and/or antiestrogenic effects. Isoflavones are considered chemoprotective and can be used as an alternative therapy for a wide range of hormonal disorders, including several cancer types, namely breast cancer and prostate cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, or menopausal symptoms. On the other hand, isoflavones may also be considered endocrine disruptors with possible negative influences on the state of health in a certain part of the population or on the environment. This review deals with isoflavone classification, structure, and occurrence, with their metabolism, biological, and health effects in humans and animals, and with their utilization and potential risks.

Based on their nutrient composition, soybeans and related foods have been considered to be nutritious and healthy for humans. Particularly, the biological activity and subsequent benefits of soy products may be associated with the presence of isoflavone in soybeans. As an alternative treatment for menopause-related symptoms, isoflavone has gained much popularity for postmenopausal women who have concerns related to undergoing hormone replacement therapy. However, current research has still not reached a consensus on the effects of isoflavone on humans. This overview is a summary of the current literature about the processing of soybeans and isoflavone types (daidzein, genistein, and S-equol) and supplements and their extraction and analysis as well as information about the utilization of isoflavones in soybeans. The processes of preparation (cleaning, drying, crushing and dehulling) and extraction of soybeans are implemented to produce refined soy oil, soy lecithin, free fatty acids, glycerol and soybean meal. The remaining components consist of inorganic constituents (minerals) and the minor components of biologically interesting small molecules. Regarding the preventive effects on diseases or cancers, a higher intake of isoflavones is associated with a moderately lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. It may also reduce the risks of breast and colorectal cancer as well as the incidence of breast cancer recurrence. Consumption of isoflavones or soy foods is associated with reduced risks of endometrial and bladder cancer. Regarding the therapeutic effects on menopausal syndrome or other diseases, isoflavones have been found to alleviate vasomotor syndromes even after considering placebo effects, reduce bone loss in the spine and ameliorate hypertension and in vitro glycemic control. They may also alleviate depressive symptoms during pregnancy. On the other hand, isoflavones have not shown definitive effects regarding improving cognition and urogenital symptoms. Because of lacking standardization in the study designs, such as the ingredients and doses of isoflavones and the durations and outcomes of trials, it currently remains difficult to draw overall conclusions for all aspects of isoflavones. These limitations warrant further investigations of isoflavone use for women’s health.

The Hibiscus manihot L. (HML) Medic, an edible hibiscus of the Malvaceae family, is abundant with flavonoids. The study investigated how Rhizopus-arrhizus-31-assisted pretreatment affects the extraction and bioactivity of flavonoids from HML. The fiber structure of the fermented flavonoid sample (RFF) appears looser, more porous, and more disordered than the unfermented flavonoid sample (RUF). RFF demonstrates milder conditions and yields higher extraction rates. According to the Box–Behnken response surface optimization experiment, the optimal conditions for RFF include a material–liquid ratio of 1:41 g/mL, a 2 h extraction time, a 57% ethanol concentration, and an extraction temperature of 800 °C, resulting in a 3.69% extraction yield, which is 39.25% higher than that of RUF. Additionally, RFF exhibits greater activity than RUF in the radical-scavenging system. The IC50 values for DPPH, OH, and ABTS radicals are 83.43 μg/mL and 82.62 μg/mL, 208.38 μg/mL and 175.99 μg/mL, and 108.59 μg/mL and 75.39 μg/mL for RUF and RFF, respectively. UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of the active components in the HML flavonoid sample revealed significant differences in the chromatograms of RUF and RFF, indicating that biofermentation led to substantial changes in composition and content from HML.

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum, Hypericaceae) has long been used in traditional medicine as a potent remedy, while many other species of this genus have not been thoroughly investigated. The study aimed to detect the biological activity, including antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, anticholinergic, antimicrobial and monoaminoxidase inhibitory potential, of water-alcoholic extracts of three species autochthonous for Serbia and Greece from plant genus Hypericum (section Hypericum—H. tetrapterum, H. maculatum ssp. immaculatum and H. triquetrifolium), followed by phytochemical profiling. The highest amount of phenolics was recorded in H. maculatum subsp. immaculatum extract, while the highest abundance of flavonoids was characteristic of H. tetrapterum extract. Hypericin and hyperforin, quercetin, and its flavonoid, rutin, were present in all of the evaluated species. The evaluated species were good scavengers of DPPH, OH and NO radicals, as well as potent reducers of ferric ions in FRAP assay. Furthermore, the evaluated species were shown as potent inhibitors of monoaminoxidase A and α-glucosidase and modest inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, monoaminoxidase B and α-amylase. No anti-Candida activity was recorded, but the extracts were effective against MRSA Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus sp., as well as against Proteus mirabilis. The obtained results strongly highlight the need for further in vivo studies in order to better define the potential of the medicinal application of the studied species.