Science Update
Focus on Anthocyanins
Reviewed: Yamamoto M, Yamaura K, Ishiwatari M, et al. Degradation Index for quality evaluation of commercial dietary supplements of bilberry extract. J Food Sci. 2013;78(3):S477-S483.
A group from Chiba University (Chiba, Japan) investigated the heat stability of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus, Ericaceae) or blueberry (V. angustifolium [lowbush blueberry]; V. corymbosum [highbush blueberry]; possibly other Vaccinium spp.) anthocyanins in solid dosage forms (soft capsules, tablets, and granules). MORE
Metabolomic Profiling of Saw Palmetto Extracts Allows Distinguishing among Materials Produced Using Different Extraction Methods and to Detect Adulteration with Other Vegetable Oils
Reviewed: Booker A, Suter A, Krnjic A, et al. A phytochemical comparison of saw palmetto products using gas chromatography and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy metabolomic profiling. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2014;66(6):811-822.
This is another example of collaboration between a dietary supplement manufacturer (Bioforce AG; Roggwil, Switzerland) and an academic institution (University of London; London, UK). MORE
Comprehensive Investigation Finds African Mango Seed Powder Adulterated with Goji Berry
Reviewed: Li J, Pan L, Naman CB, et al. Pyrrole alkaloids with potential cancer chemopreventive activity isolated from a goji berry-contaminated commercial sample of African mango. J Agric Food Chem. 2014;62(22):5054-5060.
In a collaboration between Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (Spanish Fork, UT) and the Ohio State University, a sample of commercially available purported powdered African mango (Irvingia gabonensis, Irvingiaceae) seed was submitted to bioactivity-guided fractionation after an initial screening revealed potent cancer chemopreventive activity of the chloroform-soluble portion in a quinone-reductase assay. MORE
A Combination of HPLC Fingerprints and the Agnuside/Casticin Ratio Serves as a Useful Tool to Evaluate the Qualities of Chaste Berry Preparations
Reviewed: Fukahori M, Kobayashi S, Naraki Y, et al. Quality evaluation of medicinal products and health foods containing chaste berry (Vitex agnus-castus) in Japanese, European and American markets. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2014;62(4):379-385.
Twenty-four commercial chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus, Lamiaceae) berry products were purchased from a Japanese online shopping site and an American online shopping site and analyzed by HPLC-UV. The commercial samples were separated into medicinal products (n = 7) and health food products (n = 17). MORE
UV Spectrophotometry with Chemometric Analysis as a Means to Authenticate Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Reviewed: Gad HA, El-Ahmady SH, Abou-Shoer MI, Al-Azizi MM. A modern approach to the authentication and quality assessment of thyme using UV spectroscopy and chemometric analysis. Phytochem Anal. 2013;24(6):520-526.
Thyme is one of the botanicals where a number of different species are accepted as having medicinal benefits. The thyme monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) lists two species, thyme (Thymus vulgaris, Lamiaceae) and Spanish thyme (T. zygis), as acceptable sources. MORE
The Importance of Specificity – Alleged Adulteration of Dietary Supplements with Thyroid Hormones Based on Inadequate Analytical Testing
Reviewed: Kang GY, Parks JR, Fileta B, et al. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine content in commercially available thyroid health supplements. Thyroid. 2013;23(10):1233-1237. http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/501/021465-501.html.
Many health supplements containing herbal extracts or animal-based thyroid tissue are marketed to improve thyroid function. MORE
HPLC Method Allows Detection of Undeclared Ashwagandha Aerial Part Material in Commercial Ashwagandha Root Products
Reviewed: Mundkinajeddu D, Sawant LP, Koshy R, et al. Development and validation of high performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous estimation of flavonoid glycosides in Withania somnifera aerial parts. ISRN Analytical Chemistry. March 10, 2014;2014:351547. doi: 10.1155/2014/351547.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Solanaceae) is one of the most important medicinal plants in traditional Indian medicine systems. MORE
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