scholarly journals Propolis in Metabolic Syndrome and Its Associated Chronic Diseases: A Narrative Review

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 348
Author(s):  
Felix Zulhendri ◽  
Munir Ravalia ◽  
Krishna Kripal ◽  
Kavita Chandrasekaran ◽  
James Fearnley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Antioxidant Systems ◽  
Glycation End Products ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms ◽  
Molecular And Biochemical Mechanisms

Propolis is a resinous product collected by bees from plants to protect and maintain the homeostasis of their hives. Propolis has been used therapeutically by humans for centuries. This review article attempts to analyze the potential use of propolis in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated chronic diseases. MetS and its chronic diseases were shown to be involved in at least seven out of the top 10 causes of death in 2019. Patients with MetS are also at a heightened risk of severe morbidity and mortality in the present COVID-19 pandemic. Propolis with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties is potentially useful in ameliorating the symptoms of MetS and its associated chronic diseases. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review on propolis and its therapeutic benefit in MetS and its chronic diseases, with an emphasis on in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as human clinical trials. Moreover, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of action of propolis are also discussed. Propolis inhibits the development and manifestation of MetS and its chronic diseases by inhibiting of the expression and interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptors (RAGEs), inhibiting pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, and promoting the cellular antioxidant systems.

scholarly journals The Occurrence and Biological Activity of Tormentic Acid—A Review

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3797
Author(s):  
Marta Olech ◽  
Wojciech Ziemichód ◽  
Natalia Nowacka-Jechalke
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms ◽  
Tormentic Acid

This review focuses on the natural sources and pharmacological activity of tormentic acid (TA; 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxyurs-2-en-28-oic acid). The current knowledge of its occurrence in various plant species and families is summarized. Biological activity (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-osteoarthritic, antinociceptive, antioxidative, anti-melanogenic, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic) confirmed in in vitro and in vivo studies is compiled and described. Biochemical mechanisms affected by TA are indicated. Moreover, issues related to the biotechnological methods of production, effective eluents, and TA derivatives are presented.

Food Derived Bioactive Peptides for Health Enhancement and Management of Some Chronic Diseases

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
A. F. Ogori ◽  
A. T. Girgih ◽  
J. O. Abu ◽  
M. O. Eke
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Bioactive Peptides ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Target Cells

The bioactive peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis and fermentation approach have been identified and used widely in research. These methods are important in enhancement or prevention and management of chronic diseases that are ravaging the world such as type -2-diabetes, hypertension, oxidative stress, cancer, and obesity. Sources of bioactive peptides have been established ranging from plant to animal and marine foods that have pharmacological effects; however these effects are dependent on target cells and peptides structure and conformations.  Plants such as hemp and animal source such as milk among others validate the findings of In vitro and In-vivo studies and the efficiency of these bioactive peptides in the management of certain chronic diseases. This article reviews the literature on bioactive peptides with concern on food sources, production and bioactive peptides application in enhancement of health and management of hypertension, diabetes and oxidative stress.  Future research efforts on bioactive peptides should be directed towards elucidating specific sequenced bioactive peptides and their molecular mechanisms, through In-vivo and In-vitro studies for specific health condition in human using nutrigenomics and peptideomic approaches.

scholarly journals Beneficial Role of Bitter Melon Supplementation in Obesity and Related Complications in Metabolic Syndrome

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Ashraful Alam ◽  
Riaz Uddin ◽  
Nusrat Subhan ◽  
Md Mahbubur Rahman ◽  
Preeti Jain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Bitter Melon ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunction ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Treatment Of Diabetes

Diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are becoming epidemic both in developed and developing countries in recent years. Complementary and alternative medicines have been used since ancient era for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Bitter melon is widely used as vegetables in daily food in Bangladesh and several other countries in Asia. The fruits extract of bitter melon showed strong antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities in experimental condition bothin vivoandin vitro. Recent scientific evaluation of this plant extracts also showed potential therapeutic benefit in diabetes and obesity related metabolic dysfunction in experimental animals and clinical studies. These beneficial effects are mediated probably by inducing lipid and fat metabolizing gene expression and increasing the function of AMPK and PPARs, and so forth. This review will thus focus on the recent findings on beneficial effect ofMomordica charantiaextracts on metabolic syndrome and discuss its potential mechanism of actions.

scholarly journals Food Derived Bioactive Peptides for Health Enhancement and Management of Some Chronic Diseases

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
A. F. Ogori ◽  
A. T. Girgih ◽  
J. O. Abu ◽  
M. O. Eke
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Bioactive Peptides ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Target Cells

The bioactive peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis and fermentation approach have been identified and used widely in research. These methods are important in enhancement or prevention and management of chronic diseases that are ravaging the world such as type -2-diabetes, hypertension, oxidative stress, cancer, and obesity. Sources of bioactive peptides have been established ranging from plant to animal and marine foods that have pharmacological effects; however these effects are dependent on target cells and peptides structure and conformations.  Plants such as hemp and animal source such as milk among others validate the findings of In vitro and In-vivo studies and the efficiency of these bioactive peptides in the management of certain chronic diseases. This article reviews the literature on bioactive peptides with concern on food sources, production and bioactive peptides application in enhancement of health and management of hypertension, diabetes and oxidative stress.  Future research efforts on bioactive peptides should be directed towards elucidating specific sequenced bioactive peptides and their molecular mechanisms, through In-vivo and In-vitro studies for specific health condition in human using nutrigenomics and peptideomic approaches.

scholarly journals Potential Usefulness of a Wakame/Carob Functional Snack for the Treatment of Several Aspects of Metabolic Syndrome: From In Vitro to In Vivo Studies

Marine Drugs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Martínez-Villaluenga ◽  
Elena Peñas ◽  
Daniel Rico ◽  
Ana Martin-Diana ◽  
Maria Portillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Potential Usefulness ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Raw 264.7 Macrophages ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Carob Pod ◽  
First Time

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of functional snacks containing a combination of wakame (W) and carob pod (CP) flours in reducing markers associated with MetS. The mechanisms of action underlying these effects were also evaluated. In vitro approaches were carried out in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with different doses of extracts from W, CP, or a combination of both. Furthermore, an in vivo experiment was conducted in rats with MetS treated with normal-caloric diets containing different snack formulations with combinations of 1/50 (snack A) or 1/5 of wakame/carob (snack B). In vitro experiments results indicated that both W and CP had delipidating effects, but only the latter induced anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive effects. As far as the in vivo study is concerned, snack B was ineffective and snack A showed an anti-hypertensive effect in rats with MetS. The present study shows for the first time the in vitro efficacy of a W and CP combination as an anti-inflammatory, delipidating, and anti-hypertensive tool, and its potential usefulness in treating MetS.

scholarly journals Silver i-motifs and their antibacterial activity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Bratt
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Drug Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Low Concentrations

<p>The spread of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria is a major threat to public health. This study investigated a unique cytosine rich DNA structure, the i-Motif to deliver soluble Ag+ as a novel antimicrobial agent (AgiMs). AgiMs were evaluated in vitro against P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii strains. AgiMs displayed significant antibacterial activity against both P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii (median MIC: 0.875 µM and 0.75 µM, respectively) by rapid, bactericidal and concentration-dependent effect. Low concentrations of AgiMs showed efficacy against PAO1 20-h biofilms, resulting in 57% reduction in biomass (5 x MIC). A single dose of AgiMs extended survival of G. Mellonella larvae, with the therapeutic benefit paralleled in the reduction of internal bacterial load. Synergistic interactions were observed with the combination of AgiMs and tobramycin, a common antibiotic used to treat P. aeruginosa infections; indicating the potential for AgiMs to reinstate the potency of current antibiotics. This silver-based agent might be an alternative to the failing antibiotic regimes for MDR resistant infections. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to confirm the therapeutic potential. </p>

scholarly journals Strategies to Improve Resveratrol Systemic and Topical Bioavailability: An Update

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastiano Intagliata ◽  
Maria N. Modica ◽  
Ludovica M. Santagati ◽  
Lucia Montenegro
Keyword(s):  
Water Solubility ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Topical Administration ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms ◽  
Free Radical Scavenging Activities

In recent years, a great deal of attention has been paid to natural compounds due to their many biological effects. Polyphenols are a class of plant derivatives that have been widely investigated for preventing and treating many oxidative stress-related pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus and inflammation. Among these polyphenols, resveratrol (RSV) has attracted considerable interest owing to its high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. However, the poor water solubility and rapid metabolism of RSV lead to low bioavailability, thus limiting its clinical efficacy. After discussing the main biochemical mechanisms involved in RSV biological activities, this review will focus on the strategies attempted to improve RSV effectiveness, both for systemic and for topical administration. In particular, technological approaches involving RSV incorporation into different delivery systems such as liposomes, polymeric and lipid nanoparticles, microemulsions and cyclodextrins will be illustrated, highlighting their potential clinical applications. In addition, chemical modifications of this antioxidant aimed at improving its physicochemical properties will be described along with the results of in vitro and in vivo studies.

scholarly journals Beneficial Effects of Ursolic Acid and Its Derivatives—Focus on Potential Biochemical Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Conditions

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3900
Author(s):  
Jakub Erdmann ◽  
Marcin Kujaciński ◽  
Michał Wiciński
Keyword(s):  
Ursolic Acid ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpenoid ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms ◽  
Oxide Synthase

Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid found in a number of plants such as apples, thyme, oregano, hawthorn and others. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have presented its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. The inhibition of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways and the increased scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in numerous ways seem to be the most beneficial effects of UA. In mice and rats, administration of UA appears to slow down the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially atherosclerosis and cardiac fibrosis. Upregulation of endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cystathionine-λ-lyase (CSE) by UA may suggest its vasorelaxant property. Inhibition of metalloproteinases activity by UA may contribute to better outcomes in aneurysms management. UA influence on lipid and glucose metabolism remains inconsistent, and additional studies are essential to verify its efficacy. Furthermore, UA derivatives appear to have a beneficial impact on the cardiovascular system. This review aims to summarize recent findings on beneficial effects of UA that may make it a promising candidate for clinical trials for the management of CVDs.

scholarly journals Liposomes as a Nanoplatform to Improve the Delivery of Antibiotics into Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 321
Author(s):  
Magda Ferreira ◽  
Sandra N. Pinto ◽  
Frederico Aires-da-Silva ◽  
Ana Bettencourt ◽  
Sandra I. Aguiar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Fibroblast Cell ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Positively Charged

Staphylococcus aureus biofilm-associated infections are a major public health concern. Current therapies are hampered by reduced penetration of antibiotics through biofilm and low accumulation levels at infected sites, requiring prolonged usage. To overcome these, repurposing antibiotics in combination with nanotechnological platforms is one of the most appealing fast-track and cost-effective approaches. In the present work, we assessed the potential therapeutic benefit of three antibiotics, vancomycin, levofloxacin and rifabutin (RFB), through their incorporation in liposomes. Free RFB displayed the utmost antibacterial effect with MIC and MBIC50 below 0.006 µg/mL towards a methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). RFB was selected for further in vitro studies and the influence of different lipid compositions on bacterial biofilm interactions was evaluated. Although positively charged RFB liposomes displayed the highest interaction with MSSA biofilms, RFB incorporated in negatively charged liposomes displayed lower MBIC50 values in comparison to the antibiotic in the free form. Preliminary safety assessment on all RFB formulations towards osteoblast and fibroblast cell lines demonstrated that a reduction on cell viability was only observed for the positively charged liposomes. Overall, negatively charged RFB liposomes are a promising approach against biofilm S. aureus infections and further in vivo studies should be performed.

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