scholarly journals Phenethyl Isothiocyanate, a Bioactive Agent for Gastrointestinal Health: A Review

Author(s):  
Ezequiel Coscueta ◽  
Ana Sofia Sousa ◽  
Celso Reis ◽  
Manuela Pintado

The incidence of gastrointestinal diseases (cancer in particular) has increased progressively with considerable morbidity, mortality, and a high economic impact on the healthcare system. Dietary intake of natural bioactive phytochemicals showed to have cancer-preventing and therapeutic effects. This includes the cruciferous vegetable derivative phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a bioactive compound from watercress. PEITC antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties are of particular importance. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of PEITC as a potential natural nutraceutical or an adjuvant against oxidative/inflammatory-related disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. We also discuss the safe and recommended dose of PEITC. Besides, we establish a framework to guide the research and development of sustainable methodologies for obtaining and stabilizing this natural nutraceutical for industrial use. This is a topic that still needs more scientific development, but with the potential to lead to a viable strategy in the prevention of cancer and other associated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaleigh E. Beane ◽  
Mersady C. Redding ◽  
Xiaofan Wang ◽  
Jeong Hoon Pan ◽  
Brandy Le ◽  
...  

AbstractThe human gastrointestinal tract harbors a magnitude of bacteria, which are collectively known as the gut microbiome. Research has demonstrated that the gut microbiome significantly impacts the health of its host and alters the host’s risk for various chronic diseases. Many factors, such as diet, could potentially be manipulated to alter the host gut microbiome and induce subsequent preventative and/or therapeutic effects. It has been established that diet partakes in the regulation and maintenance of the gut microbiome; however, specific crosstalk between the microbiome, gut, and host has not been clearly elucidated in relation to diet. In this review of the scientific literature, we outline current knowledge of the differential effects of major plant-derived dietary constituents (fiber, phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals) on the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome.


Author(s):  
Bugero N.V. ◽  
Ilyina N.A. ◽  
Aleksandrova S.M.

In addition to the classical pathogens, which are well understood and well identified, new pathogens with the potential to spread epidemiologically are being identified. Some of these little-known organisms are the simplest Blastocystis spp. blastocystostosis. The clinical significance of Blastocystis spp. and its pathogenicity are still under discussion. This parasite belongs to a group of single-celled eukaryotic organisms living in the colon of the human intestine. Blastocystis spp. is known to be found both in people with reduced immune status and in individuals without any clinical manifestation. It has been established that a sufficiently high degree of invasiveness is observed in persons with gastrointestinal tract diseases, dermatosis, allergic reactions, in patients with carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus, etc. Possessing persistence factors, protozoa blastocysts contribute to the inactivation of host defensive mechanisms, providing a stable anthogonistic effect. In recent years, many works have been devoted to the characteristics of the persistent properties of Blastocystis spr., however, individual properties of blastocysts, in particular, anticytokine activity (ACA), have not yet been studied. In this regard, the work studied the anticytokine activity of microorganisms isolated from healthy subjects and patients with gastrointestinal tract diseases. A high prevalence of the studied characteristic in the subjects was shown. The expression of anticytokine activity in the obtained isolates of blastocysts was the highest in the group of persons with gastric ulcer disease, which decreased in the order of duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, chronic gastritis, etc. The data obtained in this work on the high level of ACA expression in blastocyst isolates obtained from individuals with gastrointestinal diseases as compared with the control group enables to conclude that their exometabolites may influence the local cytokine balance [1], which supports the inflammatory process.


Author(s):  
Caili Li ◽  
Meizhen Wang ◽  
Xiaoxiao Qiu ◽  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Shanfa Lu

Background: Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), play significant regulatory roles in plant development and secondary metabolism and are involved in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. They have been intensively studied in model systems and crops for approximately two decades and massive amount of information have been obtained. However, for medicinal plants, ncRNAs, particularly their regulatory roles in bioactive compound biosynthesis, are just emerging as a hot research field. Objective: This review aims to summarize current knowledge on herbal ncRNAs and their regulatory roles in bioactive compound production. Results and Conclusion: So far, scientists have identified thousands of miRNA candidates from over 50 medicinal plant species and 11794 lncRNAs from Salvia miltiorrhiza, Panax ginseng, and Digitalis purpurea. Among them, more than 30 miRNAs and five lncRNAs have been predicted to regulate bioactive compound production. The regulation may achieve through various regulatory modules and pathways, such as the miR397-LAC module, the miR12112-PPO module, the miR156-SPL module, the miR828-MYB module, the miR858-MYB module, and other siRNA and lncRNA regulatory pathways. Further functional analysis of herbal ncRNAs will provide useful information for quality and quantity improvement of medicinal plants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-95
Author(s):  
Patience O. Obi ◽  
Jennifer E. Kent ◽  
Maya M. Jeyaraman ◽  
Nicole Askin ◽  
Taiana M. Pierdoná ◽  
...  

Asthma is the most common pediatric disease, characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. There are several management options for asthma, but no specific treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are powerful cellular mediators of endocrine, autocrine and paracrine signalling, and can modulate biophysiological function in vitro and in vivo. A thorough investigation of therapeutic effects of EVs in asthma has not been conducted. Therefore, this systematic review is designed to synthesize recent literature on the therapeutic effects of EVs on physiological and biological outcomes of asthma in pre-clinical studies. An electronic search of Web of Science, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Scopus will be conducted on manuscripts published in the last five years that adhere to standardized guidelines for EV research. Grey literature will also be included. Two reviewers will independently screen the selected studies for title and abstract, and full text based on the eligibility criteria. Data will be extracted, narratively synthesized and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. This systematic review will summarize the current knowledge from preclinical studies investigating the therapeutic effects of EVs on asthma. The results will delineate whether EVs can mitigate biological hallmarks of asthma, and if so, describe the underlying mechanisms involved in the process. This insight is crucial for identifying key pathways that can be targeted to alleviate the burden of asthma. The data will also reveal the origin, dosage and biophysical characteristics of beneficial EVs. Overall, our results will provide a scaffold for future intervention and translational studies on asthma treatment.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2506
Author(s):  
Wamidh H. Talib ◽  
Ahmad Riyad Alsayed ◽  
Alaa Abuawad ◽  
Safa Daoud ◽  
Asma Ismail Mahmod

Melatonin is a pleotropic molecule with numerous biological activities. Epidemiological and experimental studies have documented that melatonin could inhibit different types of cancer in vitro and in vivo. Results showed the involvement of melatonin in different anticancer mechanisms including apoptosis induction, cell proliferation inhibition, reduction in tumor growth and metastases, reduction in the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, decreasing drug resistance in cancer therapy, and augmentation of the therapeutic effects of conventional anticancer therapies. Clinical trials revealed that melatonin is an effective adjuvant drug to all conventional therapies. This review summarized melatonin biosynthesis, availability from natural sources, metabolism, bioavailability, anticancer mechanisms of melatonin, its use in clinical trials, and pharmaceutical formulation. Studies discussed in this review will provide a solid foundation for researchers and physicians to design and develop new therapies to treat and prevent cancer using melatonin.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2428
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Guz ◽  
Witold Jeleniewicz ◽  
Anna Malm ◽  
Izabela Korona-Glowniak

A still growing interest between human nutrition in relation to health and disease states can be observed. Dietary components shape the composition of microbiota colonizing our gastrointestinal tract which play a vital role in maintaining human health. There is a strong evidence that diet, gut microbiota and their metabolites significantly influence our epigenome, particularly through the modulation of microRNAs. These group of small non-coding RNAs maintain cellular homeostasis, however any changes leading to impaired expression of miRNAs contribute to the development of different pathologies, including neoplastic diseases. Imbalance of intestinal microbiota due to diet is primary associated with the development of colorectal cancer as well as other types of cancers. In the present work we summarize current knowledge with particular emphasis on diet-microbiota-miRNAs axis and its relation to the development of colorectal cancer.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahreema Jawairia ◽  
Ghulamullah Shahzad ◽  
Paul Mustacchia

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are a progressively more frequent diverse group of intestinal diseases. The intention of this paper is to present the newest developments in the care of patients with EGIDs and to sum up a rising literature defining the clinical features and mechanistic elements of eosinophils and their intricate associations with the gastrointestinal tract. Clinicians ought to stay sensitive to EGIDs as a diagnostic likelihood for patients with general gastrointestinal symptoms. Further research is warranted to establish various methods leading to dysfunction coupled with eosinophilic gastrointestinal inflammation.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faten A Ghazal ◽  
Wesam M Osman ◽  
Sarah A Hakim ◽  
Nada N Tamem

Abstract Background Non neoplastic GI lesions in pediatrics are variable and differ in types and prevalence among each pediatric age group. Helicobacter pylori is an important pathogen that can cause gastritis and peptic ulcers in adults as well as in children. Celiac disease is a gluten-dependent autoimmune disorder which affects individuals having genetic susceptibility. Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases are disorders that primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract with eosinophil-rich inflammation in the absence of known causes for eosinophilia. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, mainly affecting the gastrointestinal tract with extraintestinal manifestations and associated immune disorders. It seems that it is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases affecting children in the developed countries. Aim of the work To study different types of paediatric non neoplastic gastrointestinal lesions from gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies received at the Pathology Department in Ain Shams University hospital during a period of 2 years (2017-2018), and to correlate them with the clinicopathological presentations and endoscopic findings. Patients and Methods A cross sectional study was conducted on all pediatric gastrointestinal biopsies received at Pathology Department in Ain Shams University Hospital during the period of two years (2017- 2018). Only cases with information for all the covariates (n = 580) were selected and the results were statistically analyzed. Results Total 580 pediatric cases were enrolled according to inclusion criteria. Nonspecific gastrointestinal inflammation represented (47.1%), Helicobacter pylori associated gastrointestinal inflammation represented (43.5%), Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease represented (3.8%), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represented (3.7%), Celiac disease represented (1.9%). Conclusion This is the first study conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals to assess the different types of pediatric non neoplastic gastrointestinal lesions received with clinicopathological and endoscopic correlation. The most common pediatric non neoplastic GI lesion is Helicobacter pylori infection. The diagnosis of pediatric non neoplastic GI disorder necessitates interdepartmental teamwork between GI pediatricians and pathologists.


Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Kang ◽  
Eunsoo Jung ◽  
Junghyun Kim

Dry eye disease is affected by a broad range of causes such as age, lifestyle, environment, medication and autoimmune diseases. These causes induce tear instability that activates immune cells and promotes expression of inflammatory molecules. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of an ethanolic extract of Aucuba japonica (AJE) and its bioactive compound, aucubin, on dry eye disease. The human corneal cells were exposed to desiccation stress induced by exposing cells to air, so that viability was decreased. On the other hand, pre-treatment of AJE and aucubin restored cell survival rate depending on the dose under the dry condition. This result was confirmed again by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The mRNA expression of inflammatory molecules was reduced by the pretreatment of AJE and aucubin under the dry state. The therapeutic effects of AJE and aucubin were examined in the animal model for dry eye induced by unilateral excision of the exorbital lacrimal gland. Declined tear volumes and corneal irregularity in the dry eye group were fully recovered by the administration of AJE and aucubin. The apoptotic cells on the cornea were also decreased by AJE and aucubin. Therefore, this study suggests that administration of AJE can be a novel therapeutic for dry eye disease and that the pharmacological activities of AJE may be in part due to its bioactive compound, aucubin.


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