scholarly journals Aspalathin from Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis): A Bioactive C-glucosyl Dihydrochalcone with Potential to Target the Metabolic Syndrome

Planta Medica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (09/10) ◽  
pp. 568-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabia Johnson ◽  
Dalene de Beer ◽  
Phiwayinkosi Dludla ◽  
Daneel Ferreira ◽  
Christo Muller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Aspalathus Linearis ◽  
Potential Use

AbstractAspalathin is a C-glucosyl dihydrochalcone that is abundantly present in Aspalathus linearis. This endemic South African plant, belonging to the Cape Floristic region, is normally used for production of rooibos, a herbal tea. Aspalathin was valued initially only as precursor in the formation of the characteristic red-brown colour of “fermented” rooibos, but the hype about the potential role of natural antioxidants to alleviate oxidative stress, shifted interest in aspalathin to its antioxidant properties and subsequently, its potential role to improve metabolic syndrome, a disease condition interrelated with oxidative stress. The potential use of aspalathin or aspalathin-rich rooibos extracts as a condition-specific nutraceutical is hampered by the limited supply of green rooibos (i.e., “unfermented” plant material) and low levels in “fermented” rooibos, providing incentive for its synthesis. In vitro and in vivo studies relating to the metabolic activity of aspalathin are discussed and cellular mechanisms by which aspalathin improves glucose and lipid metabolism are proposed. Other aspects covered in this review, which are relevant in view of the potential use of aspalathin as an adjunctive therapy, include its poor stability and bioavailability, as well as potential adverse herb-drug interactions, in particular interference with the metabolism of certain commonly prescribed chronic medications for hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia.

scholarly journals Pigmented Corn Varieties as Functional Ingredients for Gluten-Free Products

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1770
Author(s):  
Francesca Colombo ◽  
Chiara Di Lorenzo ◽  
Katia Petroni ◽  
Marco Silano ◽  
Roberto Pilu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Gluten Free ◽  
Cell Agglutination ◽  
Free Products ◽  
Phenolic Profile

Oxidative stress, one among the several factors responsible for the gluten toxicity in celiac disease, together with inflammation and duodenal mucosal injury, are only partially reduced by the gluten-free diet. Thanks to their phenolic profile, the pigmented varieties of corn could be an interesting source of dietary antioxidants for the formulation of new gluten-free ingredients. The aim of this research was: (1) to characterize the phenolic profile and the associated antioxidant properties of corn samples with different pigmentation, using spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques and (2) to assess the stability of anthocyanins during the gastro-intestinal digestion. The pigmented varieties showed a significantly higher content of polyphenols compared to the common yellow varieties and, as a consequence, a higher antioxidant activity. Although corn is among the cereals most frequently used in gluten-free products, it can produce an inflammatory response in some celiac patients. Therefore, after the chemical characterization, the safety of the pigmented varieties for celiac patients was confirmed using different in vitro models (cell agglutination test and the measure of transepithelial electrical resistance). Although in vivo studies are necessary, the data collected in this study underline that the pigmented corn could have a role in reducing the oxidative stress at the intestinal level in celiac subjects.

Antioxidant Effect of Flavonoids Present in Euterpe oleracea Martius and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Literature Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayana Keyla Seabra de Oliveira ◽  
Marcos Rafael Silva Almeida ◽  
Franco Márcio Maciel Pontes ◽  
Mariana Pegrucci Barcelos ◽  
Carlos Henrique Tomich de Paula da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Euterpe Oleracea ◽  
Case Review ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Introduction:Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are progressive, directly affecting the central nervous system (CNS), the most common and recurrent are Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). One factor frequently mentioned in the etiology of NDDs is the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress, producing cellular damages. Studies have shown that the consumption of foods rich in polyphenols, especially those of the flavonoid class, has been related to the low risk in the development of several diseases. Due to the antioxidant properties present in the food, a fruit that has been gaining prominence among these foods is the Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí), because it presents in its composition significant amounts of a subclass of the flavonoids, the anthocyanins.Methods:In the case review, the authors receive a basic background on the most common NDDs, oxidative stress and antioxidants. In addition, revisiting the various studies related to NDDs, including flavonoids and consumption of açaí.Results:Detailed analysis of the recently reported case studies reveal that dietary consumption of flavonoid-rich foods, such as açaí fruits, suggests the efficacy to attenuate neurodegeneration and prevent or reverse the age-dependent deterioration of cognitive function.Conclusion:This systematic review points out that flavonoids presenting in açaí have the potential for the treatment of diseases such as PD and AD and are candidates for drugs in future clinical research. However, there is a need for in vitro and in vivo studies with polyphenol that prove and ratify the therapeutic potential of this fruit for several NDDs.

Plant Polyphenols as Neuroprotective Agents in Parkinson’s Disease Targeting Oxidative Stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 458-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suet Lee Hor ◽  
Seong Lin Teoh ◽  
Wei Ling Lim
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Dopamine Metabolism ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Natural Polyphenol ◽  
Potential Use

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the human midbrain. Various ongoing research studies are competing to understand the pathology of PD and elucidate the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. Current pharmacological treatments primarily focused on improving dopamine metabolism in PD patients, despite the side effects of long-term usage. In recent years, it is recognized that oxidative stress-mediated pathways lead to neurodegeneration in the brain, which is associated with the pathophysiology of PD. The importance of oxidative stress is often less emphasized when developing potential therapeutic approaches. Natural plant antioxidants have been shown to mediate the oxidative stress-induced effects in PD, which has gained considerable attention in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Yet, clinical trials on natural polyphenol compounds are limited, restricting the potential use of these compounds as an alternative treatment for PD. Therefore, this review provides an understanding of the oxidative stress-induced effects in PD by elucidating the underlying events contributing to oxidative stress and explore the potential use of polyphenols in improving the oxidative status in PD. Preclinical findings have supported the potential of polyphenols in providing neuroprotection against oxidative stress-induced toxicity in PD. However, limiting factors, such as safety and bioavailability of polyphenols, warrant further investigations so as to make them the potential target for clinical applications in the treatment and management of PD.

scholarly journals Isoliquiritigenin Pretreatment Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Hormesis and Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Oxidative Stress and Damage in LLC-PK1 Cells

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (19) ◽  
pp. 4442
Author(s):  
Tania Gómez-Sierra ◽  
Omar Noel Medina-Campos ◽  
José D. Solano ◽  
María Elena Ibarra-Rubio ◽  
José Pedraza-Chaverri
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Er Stress ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Natural Antioxidants ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Pretreatment Time

Isoliquiritigenin (IsoLQ) is a flavonoid with antioxidant properties and inducer of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In vitro and in vivo studies show that ER stress-mediated hormesis is cytoprotective; therefore, natural antioxidants and ER stress inducers have been used to prevent renal injury. Oxidative stress and ER stress are some of the mechanisms of damage involved in cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity. This study aims to explore whether IsoLQ pretreatment induces ER stress and produces hormesis to protect against CP-induced nephrotoxicity in Lilly Laboratories Cell-Porcine Kidney 1 (LLC-PK1) cells. During the first stage of this study, both IsoLQ protective concentration and pretreatment time against CP-induced toxicity were determined by cell viability. At the second stage, the effect of IsoLQ pretreatment on cell viability, ER stress, and oxidative stress were evaluated. IsoLQ pretreatment in CP-treated cells induces expression of glucose-related proteins 78 and 94 kDa (GRP78 and GRP94, respectively), attenuates CP-induced cell death, decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and prevents the decrease in glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratio, free thiols levels, and glutathione reductase (GR) activity. These data suggest that IsoLQ pretreatment has a moderately protective effect on CP-induced toxicity in LLC-PK1 cells, through ER stress-mediated hormesis, as well as by the antioxidant properties of IsoLQ.

scholarly journals Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide (um-PEA): A New Possible Adjuvant Treatment in COVID-19 patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Annalisa Noce ◽  
Maria Albanese ◽  
Giulia Marrone ◽  
Manuela Di Lauro ◽  
Anna Pietroboni Zaitseva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adjuvant Treatment ◽  
Pulmonary Involvement ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Pharmacological Treatments ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide ◽  
Potential Use

The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused more than 100,000,000 cases of coronavirus infection in the world in just a year, of which there were 2 million deaths. Its clinical picture is characterized by pulmonary involvement that culminates, in the most severe cases, in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, COVID-19 affects other organs and systems, including cardiovascular, urinary, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Currently, unique-drug therapy is not supported by international guidelines. In this context, it is important to resort to adjuvant therapies in combination with traditional pharmacological treatments. Among natural bioactive compounds, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) seems to have potentially beneficial effects. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized an ongoing clinical trial with ultramicronized (um)-PEA as an add-on therapy in the treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In support of this hypothesis, in vitro and in vivo studies have highlighted the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and pain-relieving effects of PEA, especially in its um form. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential use of um-PEA as an adjuvant treatment in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals The Immunomodulatory Effects of Honey and Associated Flavonoids in Cancer

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1269
Author(s):  
Razan J. Masad ◽  
Shoja M. Haneefa ◽  
Yassir A. Mohamed ◽  
Ashraf Al-Sbiei ◽  
Ghada Bashir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Bioactive Constituents ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Immunomodulatory Properties

Honey has exerted a high impact in the field of alternative medicine over many centuries. In addition to its wound healing, anti-microbial and antioxidant properties, several lines of evidence have highlighted the efficiency of honey and associated bioactive constituents as anti-tumor agents against a range of cancer types. Mechanistically, honey was shown to inhibit cancer cell growth through its pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects. However, the potential of honey to regulate anti-tumor immune responses is relatively unexplored. A small number of in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of honey to modulate the immune system by inducing immunostimulatory as well as anti-inflammatory effects. In the present review, we summarize the findings from different studies that aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of honey and its flavonoid components in relation to cancer. While these studies provide promising data, additional research is needed to further elucidate the immunomodulatory properties of honey, and to enable its utilization as an adjuvant therapy in cancer.

scholarly journals Alcohol-and-HIV-Induced Lysosomal Dysfunction Regulates Extracellular Vesicles Secretion in Vitro and in Liver-Humanized Mice

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Raghubendra Singh Dagur ◽  
Moses New-Aaron ◽  
Murali Ganesan ◽  
Weimin Wang ◽  
Svetlana Romanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Human Hepatocytes ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Humanized Mouse Model ◽  
And Function

Background: Alcohol abuse is common in people living with HIV-1 and dramaticallyenhances the severity of HIV-induced liver damage by inducing oxidative stress and lysosomaldysfunction in the liver cells. We hypothesize that the increased release of extracellular vesicles(EVs) in hepatocytes and liver humanized mouse model is linked to lysosome dysfunction. Methods:The study was performed on primary human hepatocytes and human hepatoma RLWXP-GFP (Huh7.5 cells stably transfected with CYP2E1 and XPack-GFP) cells and validated on ethanol-fed liverhumanizedfumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah)-/-, Rag2-/-, common cytokine receptor gamma chainknockout (FRG-KO) mice. Cells and mice were infected with HIV-1ADA virus. Results: We observedan increase in the secretion of EVs associated with a decrease in lysosomal activity and expressionof lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1. Next-generation RNA sequencing of primary humanhepatocytes revealed 63 differentially expressed genes, with 13 downregulated and 50 upregulatedgenes in the alcohol–HIV-treated group. Upstream regulator analysis of differentially expressedgenes through Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified transcriptional regulators affecting downstreamgenes associated with increased oxidative stress, lysosomal associated disease, and function andEVs biogenesis. Our in vitro findings were corroborated by in vivo studies on human hepatocytetransplantedhumanized mice, indicating that intensive EVs’ generation by human hepatocytes andtheir secretion to serum was associated with increased oxidative stress and reduction in lysosomalactivities triggered by HIV infection and ethanol diet. Conclusion: HIV-and-ethanol-metabolisminducedEVs release is tightly controlled by lysosome status in hepatocytes and participates in thedevelopment of double-insult-induced liver injury.

Abstract 3672: Loss of Perivascular Adipocyte Paracrine Function Leads to Increased Vascular Tone and Glucose Intolerance in Hypertension

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaivan Khavandi ◽  
Adam Greenstein ◽  
Sarah Withers ◽  
Kazuhiko Sonoyama ◽  
Sarah Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Vascular Tone ◽  
Tnf Alpha ◽  
Perivascular Adipose Tissue ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Adipocyte Cell ◽  
Therapeutic Opportunity

In order to investigate the contribution of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) to arterial function, a total of 55 small arteries harvested from 35 skin biopsies of patients with Metabolic Syndrome and matched controls were mounted as ring preparations in a wire myograph. Contractility to cumulative doses of Norepinephrine in the presence or absence of PVAT showed an anticontractile effect in arteries from healthy volunteers (p=0.009), which was lost in patients with Metabolic Syndrome. Bioassay studies confirmed that PVAT releases a hydrophilic anticontractile factor in health, which is absent in obesity. Using a soluble fragment of the human Type 1 receptor, we identified that the anticontractile factor was adiponectin, which is the sole mediator of vasodilation, acting by increasing endothelial bioavailability of nitric oxide. Significant endothelial dysfunction was observed in patients with Metabolic Syndrome (p<0.001). Quantitative image analysis of adipose tissue revealed significantly increased adipocyte cell size in patients with Metabolic Syndrome, compared with healthy controls (p<0.006). There was immunohistochemical evidence of inflammation with upregulation of TNF-alpha receptor 1 in these patients (p<0.001). Application of exogenous TNF-alpha abolished the anticontractile effect of PVAT by reducing adiponectin bioavailability. Oxidative stress also induced by cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 but not IL-1, reduced adiponectin production from PVAT and increased basal tone. When the obese microenvironment was replicated in vitro by inflicting hypoxia on PVAT, adiponectin activity was lost but then rescued by incubation with cytokine antagonists. Further application of the adiponectin receptor fragment abolished PVAT relaxation. We conclude that in healthy arteries, PVAT releases adiponectin which reduces vascular tone. In obesity, this is lost by a cascade of adipocyte hypertrophy, hypoxia, inflammation and oxidative stress. The resulting vasoconstriction contributes to hypertension, hypertriglyceridaemia and insulin resistance. Direct targeting of adiponectin release from PVAT therefore provides a novel therapeutic opportunity in the Metabolic Syndrome.

scholarly journals Enhanced phosphorylation of Na+–Cl− co-transporter in experimental metabolic syndrome: role of insulin

2012 ◽  
Vol 123 (11) ◽  
pp. 635-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radko Komers ◽  
Shaunessy Rogers ◽  
Terry T. Oyama ◽  
Bei Xu ◽  
Chao-Ling Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Endogenous Expression ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Mammalian Cell Lines ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

In the present study, we investigated the activity of the thiazide-sensitive NCC (Na+–Cl− co-transporter) in experimental metabolic syndrome and the role of insulin in NCC activation. Renal responses to the NCC inhibitor HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide), as a measure of NCC activity in vivo, were studied in 12-week-old ZO (Zucker obese) rats, a model of the metabolic syndrome, and in ZL (Zucker lean) control animals, together with renal NCC expression and molecular markers of NCC activity, such as localization and phosphorylation. Effects of insulin were studied further in mammalian cell lines with inducible and endogenous expression of this molecule. ZO rats displayed marked hyperinsulinaemia, but no differences in plasma aldosterone, compared with ZL rats. In ZO rats, natriuretic and diuretic responses to NCC inhibition with HCTZ were enhanced compared with ZL rats, and were associated with a decrease in BP (blood pressure). ZO rats displayed enhanced Thr53 NCC phosphorylation and predominant membrane localization of both total and phosphorylated NCC, together with a different profile in expression of SPAK (Ste20-related proline/alanine-rich kinase) isoforms, and lower expression of WNK4. In vitro, insulin induced NCC phosphorylation, which was blocked by a PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitor. Insulin-induced reduction in WNK4 expression was also observed, but delayed compared with the time course of NCC phosphorylation. In summary, we report increased NCC activity in hyperinsulinaemic rodents in conjunction with the SPAK expression profile consistent with NCC activation and reduced WNK4, as well as an ability of insulin to induce NCC stimulatory phosphorylation in vitro. Together, these findings indicate that hyperinsulinaemia is an important driving force of NCC activity in the metabolic syndrome with possible consequences for BP regulation.

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