PMID: 

Gut. 2005 Feb ;54(2):193-200. PMID: 15647180

Abstract Title: 

Apple polyphenol extracts prevent damage to human gastric epithelial cells in vitro and to rat gastric mucosa in vivo.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Fresh fruit and vegetables exert multiple biological effects on the gastrointestinal mucosa.AIM: To assess whether apple extracts counteract oxidative or indomethacin induced damage to gastric epithelial cells in vitro and to rat gastric mucosa in vivo.METHODS: Apple extracts were obtained from freeze dried apple flesh of the"Annurca"variety. Cell damage was induced by incubating MKN 28 cells with xanthine-xanthine oxidase or indomethacin and quantitated by MTT. In vivo gastric damage was induced by indomethacin 35 mg/kg. Intracellular antioxidant activity was determined using the (2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonate) method. Malondialdehyde intracellular concentration, an index of lipid peroxidation, was determined by high pressure liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection.RESULTS: (1) Apple extracts decreased xanthine-xanthine oxidase or indomethacin induced injury to gastric epithelial cells by 50%; (2) catechin or chlorogenic acid (the main phenolic components of apple extracts) were equally effective as apple extracts in preventing oxidative injury to gastric cells; and (3) apple extracts (i) caused a fourfold increase in intracellular antioxidant activity, (ii) prevented its decrease induced by xanthine-xanthine oxidase, (iii) counteracted xanthine-xanthine oxidase induced lipid peroxidation, and (iv) decreased indomethacin injury to the rat gastric mucosa by 40%.CONCLUSIONS: Apple extracts prevent exogenous damage to human gastric epithelial cells in vitro and to the rat gastric mucosa in vivo. This effect seems to be associated with the antioxidant activity of apple phenolic compounds. A diet rich in apple antioxidants might exert a beneficial effect in the prevention of gastric diseases related to generation of reactive oxygen species.

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PMID: 

Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2016 08 ;23(4):269-76. Epub 2016 Jun 2. PMID: 27254040

Abstract Title: 

Association between Exposure to Smartphones and Ocular Health in Adolescents.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: Smartphone use has dramatically increased in recent years. Smartphones may have adverse health effects, particularly on the eyes, because users stare at the screen for a much longer time than they do with ordinary mobile phones. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between smartphone use and ocular symptoms among adolescents.METHODS: Information on smartphone use and ocular symptoms (blurring, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation, lacrimation and dryness) related to eye fatigue and strain from 715 adolescent subjects from three cities in Korea was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Ocular health was scored using number of ocular symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and p-values for ocular symptoms were calculated with binomial and multinomial logistic regression models.RESULTS: Higher prevalence rates for ocular symptoms were observed in groups with greater exposure to smartphones (p2 hours daily and≤2 hours continuously) and excessive/persistent use (>2 hours daily and>2 hours continuously) compared to shorter use (

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PMID: 

Exp Neurol. 2006 Jun ;199(2):354-61. Epub 2006 Feb 9. PMID: 16480716

Abstract Title: 

Annurca apple-rich diet restores long-term potentiation and induces behavioral modifications in aged rats.

Abstract: 

The impairment of brain functions during aging could be prevented by an increase in antioxidative defenses. In fact, dietary manipulation with antioxidants or with antioxidant-rich extracts from vegetables and fruit can ameliorate age-associated behavioral alterations. Moreover, dietary supplements of antioxidants can reverse the age-dependent impairment to sustain long-term potentiation (LTP). There is evidence that fresh fruit could be more effective than antioxidant supplements or fruit and vegetable extracts but the effect of a diet enriched in fresh fruit on brain aging process has not been investigated until now. The aim of the present study was to verify whether dietary manipulation with fresh apples could influence age-induced changes in motor and emotional behavior and in LTP in rats. Groups of aged and young rats were fed with a standard diet or a diet supplemented with fresh apples of annurca variety for 10 weeks and assessed for behavioral performance in the open field and elevated plus maze tests and for the ability to sustain LTP. The brains were then removed, histochemically stained for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and SOD activity was measured by computer-assisted image analysis. The aged rats fed with the enriched diet showed a significant decrease in the anxiety level. Moreover, they improved in the ability to sustain LTP, reaching the level of the young rats. SOD activity was increased in the aged rats fed with the standard diet whereas SOD activity in the hippocampus of the aged rats treated with annurca apple was at the level of the young animals. These results suggest that a diet rich in annurca apple could have an important role in health-care during aging.

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PMID: 

J Med Food. 2011 Sep ;14(9):957-63. Epub 2011 Apr 10. PMID: 21476926

Abstract Title: 

Phenolic composition and antimicrobial and antiquorum sensing activity of an ethanolic extract of peels from the apple cultivar Annurca.

Abstract: 

This study investigated the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of an ethanolic extract from the peel of the Annurca (Malus domestica var. Annurca), which is widespread in the Campania region of southern Italy. The antimicrobial effect of the extract on different pathogens was also examined. The potential antiquorum sensing activity of the extract was tested by using the microorganism Chromobacterium violaceum. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography revealed that rutin, epicatechin, dicaffeoylquinic acid, and caffeic acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds in the extract; these compounds constituted 27.43%, 24.93%, 16.14%, and 15.3% of the total phenols, respectively. The test for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl free radical-scavenging activity showed that the extract possessed an impressive antioxidant capacity (50% effective concentration of 2.50μg/g of product). Furthermore, the extract clearly exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus (11- to 14-mm diameter of inhibition halo, depending on the strain) and Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 (10-mm diameter of inhibition halo). No activity was observed against the probiotic lactobacilli tested or against Staphylococcus aureus. Antiquorum sensing activity was reported for the first time for apple extracts. In conclusion, these results indicate the potential of this extract for treating some microbial infections through cell growth inhibition or quorum sensing antagonism,thereby validating the health benefits of apples.

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PMID: 

Food Chem. 2013 Oct 15 ;140(4):672-9. Epub 2013 Mar 14. PMID: 23692752

Abstract Title: 

A reappraisal of traditional apple cultivars from Southern Italy as a rich source of phenols with superior antioxidant activity.

Abstract: 

Few literature data are available on the nutraceutical properties of little widespread local apple cultivars. Such lack of information prevents exploitation of these germplasms for genetic improvement of new cultivars and for the re-evaluation of local agricultural products, which may attract a large share of consumers oriented towards natural food evoking ancient flavours. In this work eight traditional apple cultivars of Southern Italy were analysed in terms of phenolic composition and free radical scavenging activity in comparison with commercial"Annurca"and"Gold Chief® Gold Pink∗"cultivars. HPLC-UV-MS analysis of methanol extracts of the cultivars under examination showed significant differences in phenol distribution within the three main classes of hydroxycinnamates, dihydrochalcones, and flavan-3-ols. Such differences were found to be associated with the antioxidant activities as determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. A good correlation was observed between the percentage of reduced DPPH and the total phenol content (R=0.79). Among all phenol classes, the flavan-3-ol content showed the highest correlation (R=0.77). Almost all of the traditional cultivars examined exhibited a much higher phenol content (2- to 7-fold) and hydrogen donor activity (1.5- to 4-fold) than widely consumed cultivars like"Annurca"and"Gold Chief® Gold Pink∗".

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PMID: 

Food Chem. 2013 Oct 15 ;140(4):614-22. Epub 2012 Nov 12. PMID: 23692744

Abstract Title: 

Nutraceutical potential of polyphenolic fractions from Annurca apple (M. pumila Miller cv Annurca).

Abstract: 

The capacities of polyphenolic extracts from Annurca apple peel and flesh to inhibit the glucose and cholesterol uptake by HepG2 cells were evaluated, and compared with those of other conventional cultivars, such as Red Delicious (RD), Pink Lady (PL), Fuji (F) and Golden Delicious (GD). RD peels exhibited the best hypoglycaemic effects, while Annurca flesh appeared the most active in reducing cell cholesterol uptake among the cultivars tested. The influence of the apple polyphenolic extracts on the cell proliferation and oxidative stress was also evaluated. Particularly, RD, Annurca and PL peels decreased proliferation by a 62.5%, 48.0% and 37.5%, respectively, probably due to their prooxidant capacity. Conversely, flesh extracts appeared more protective of cells than peels: Annurca and RD, particularly, proved to be able of increasing proliferation by a 32.2% and 11.1%, respectively, probably due to their capacity of reducing cell physiological radical levels of a 33.3% and 19.9%, respectively.

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PMID: 

J Sci Food Agric. 2017 May ;97(7):2107-2115. Epub 2016 Sep 23. PMID: 27571713

Abstract Title: 

Annurca (Malus pumila Miller cv. Annurca) apple as a functional food for the contribution to a healthy balance of plasma cholesterol levels: results of a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Recent human studies have evaluated the effect of daily apple consumption on plasma cholesterol level, which is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nevertheless, slightly significant effects have been generally registered although consuming more than two apples a day for several weeks.RESULTS: This study describes the influence of daily consumption of Annurca apples on the cholesterol levels of mildly hypercholesterolaemic healthy subjects. A monocentric, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 4-month study was conducted. The subjects (n = 250) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups (each one of 50 subjects: 28 men and 22 women). Four groups were administered one apple per day among the following: Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Golden Delicious. The fifth group was asked to consume two Annurca apples per day, since the weight of this cultivar is on average half that of the commercial ones considered in this study. Comparing results, Annurca led to the most significant outcome, allowing a reduction in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 8.3% and 14.5%, respectively, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 15.2% (all P

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PMID: 

J Food Biochem. 2019 Sep 1:e13028. Epub 2019 Sep 1. PMID: 31475373

Abstract Title: 

Phenolic compounds present in fruit extracts of Malus spp. show antioxidative and pro-apoptotic effects on human gastric cancer cell lines.

Abstract: 

The study aims to analyze the phenolic compounds in Malus spp. and evaluate their antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects in BGC-803 gastric cancer cells. The results showed that cyanidin-3-galactoside was the main polyphenol in Malus"Royalty"(MR), while catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidin B1 and B2 contents were higher in Malus"Cinnabar"(MC) and Malus micromalus (MM) than in MR fruits. The total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidative properties of Malus spp. fruits followed an order of MR > MC > MM. Fruit extracts could inhibit BGC-803 cells growth and induce apoptosis, with ICvalues of 0.47, 0.36, and 0.31 mg/ml for MR, MC, and MM, respectively. Furthermore, fruit extracts induced cell apoptosis through increasing Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl (pro-apoptosis) expression and inhibiting Bax and Bak (anti-apoptosis) expression, thereby accelerating cell apoptosis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that redfruits (i.e., MR and MC) were more effective against cancer cells than green fruits (i.e., MM). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Fruits of Malus spp. are ≤5 cm in size, considerably smaller than apples. They are rich in various natural bioactive compounds that are often consumed as a dietary supplement orused as natural raw materials for function food. In the current study, it is comprehensively characterized profile and bioactivity of phenolic metabolites in Malus spp. fruits of different colors, and found that red fruits are more effective in reducing the free radicals and inducing cancer cells apoptosis than green fruits. These findings are valuable for food technologists and food manufacturers, especially those who produce crabapple supplement. The study investigated the molecular mechanism of how Malus spp. fruits exert anti-cancer functions. This lays a theoretical foundation for futureresearch on developing anti-cancer function food and provides helpful guidance for fruit market management and fruit processing industry.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2019 Jan 9 ;11(1). Epub 2019 Jan 9. PMID: 30634393

Abstract Title: 

Lactofermented Annurca Apple Puree as a Functional Food Indicated for the Control of Plasma Lipid and Oxidative Amine Levels: Results from a Randomised Clinical Trial.

Abstract: 

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are preferential targets of healthy diet and preventive medicine partially through strategies to improve lipid profile and counteract oxidative metabolites. Ninety individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were randomized (1:1:1 ratio) to three arms, according to a four-week run-in, eight-week intervention, and four-week follow up study, testing the effects of a lactofermented Annurca apple puree (lfAAP), compared to unfermented apple puree (AAP) or probiotic alone (LAB) on plasma lipid profile and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels. By comparing the treatments, data indicated for the subjects tested with lfAAP a higher variation of the following serum parameters, in respect to the other treatment groups: high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), +61.8% (= 0.0095); and TMAO levels, -63.1% (= 0.0042). The present study would suggest lfAAP as an effective functional food for beneficial control of plasma HDL-C and TMAO levels.

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PMID: 

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 10 ;9(1):13045. Epub 2019 Sep 10. PMID: 31506575

Abstract Title: 

Annurca apple polyphenol extract selectively kills MDA-MB-231 cells through ROS generation, sustained JNK activation and cell growth and survival inhibition.

Abstract: 

Polyphenols represent the most studied class of nutraceuticals that can be therapeutics for a large spectrum of diseases, including cancer. In this study, we investigated for the first time the antitumor activities of polyphenol extract from Annurca apple (APE) in MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cells, and we explored the underlying mechanisms. APE selectively inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell viability and caused G2/M phase arrest associated with p27 and phospho-cdc25C upregulation and with p21 downregulation. APE promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in MDA-MB-231 cells while it acted as antioxidant in non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells. We demonstrated that ROS generation represented the primary step of APE antitumor activity as pretreatment with antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevented APE-induced G2/M phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy. APE downregulated Dusp-1 and induced a significant increase in JNK/c-Jun phosphorylation that were both prevented by NAC. Moreover, downregulation of JNK by its specific inhibitor SP600125 significantly diminished the anticancer activity of APE indicating that ROS generation and sustained JNK activation represented the main underlying mechanism of APE-induced cell death. APE also inhibited AKT activation and downregulated several oncoproteins, such as NF-kB, c-myc, andβ-catenin. In light of these results, APE may be an attractive candidate for drug development against triple negative breast cancer.

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