scholarly journals Non-Centrifugal Sugar (NCS) and Health: A Review on Functional Components and Health Benefits

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 460
Author(s):  
Dina Zidan ◽  
Azrina Azlan
Keyword(s):  
Cane Sugar ◽  
Solid Product ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization ◽  
Functional Components ◽  
Agronomic Conditions

Non-centrifugal sugar (NCS) is the scientific term the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) uses to define a solid product, produced by sugarcane juice evaporation, which is unrefined or minimally refined. NCS is referred to in various names globally, the most significant ones are whole cane sugar, panela (Latin America), jaggery (India) and kokuto (Japan). NCS contains minerals, bioactive compounds, flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have therapeutic potentials from time immemorial. Even though the bioactive property is dependent on the composition, which relies mainly on the agronomic conditions and production process, NCS possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, substituting the consumption of refined sugar with NCS might be helpful in the control of chronic diseases generally connected to oxidative stress and inflammation. Experimental facts from in vitro and in vivo models have proven that NCS plays an essential role in weight management, maintaining insulin sensitivity and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. NCS has also shown hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. This review aims to synopsize the recent literature pertaining to the benefits of NCS in human health. The NCS can be considered a nutraceutical and functional food. However, detailed and regulated studies are important to enhance the beneficial effects in human and animal interventions.

scholarly journals Nifedipine Upregulates ATF6-α, Caspases -12, -3, and -7 Implicating Lipotoxicity-Associated Renal ER Stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3147
Author(s):  
Chiung-Chi Peng ◽  
Chang-Rong Chen ◽  
Chang-Yu Chen ◽  
Yen-Chung Lin ◽  
Kuan-Chou Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Er Stress ◽  
Nile Red ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Homologous Protein ◽  
Renal Tubular Cells ◽  
Activating Transcription Factor ◽  
Renal Tubular

Nifedipine (NF) is reported to have many beneficial effects in antihypertensive therapy. Recently, we found that NF induced lipid accumulation in renal tubular cells. Palmitic acid-induced renal lipotoxicity was found to be partially mediated by endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress, while it can also be elicited by NF in kidney cells; we examined the induction of suspected pathways in both in vitro and in vivo models. NRK52E cells cultured in high-glucose medium were treated with NF (30 µM) for 24–48 h. ER stress-induced lipotoxicity was explored by staining with thioflavin T and Nile red, transmission electron microscopy, terminal uridine nick-end labeling, and Western blotting. ER stress was also investigated in rats with induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) fed NF for four weeks. NF induced the production of unfolded protein aggregates, resulting in ER stress, as evidenced by the upregulation of glucose-regulated protein, 78 kDa (GRP78), activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α), C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), and caspases-12, -3, and -7. In vitro early apoptosis was more predominant than late apoptosis. Most importantly, ATF6α was confirmed to play a unique role in NF-induced ER stress in both models. CKD patients with hypertension should not undergo NF therapy. In cases where it is required, alleviation of ER stress should be considered to avoid further damaging the kidneys.

scholarly journals Ginger, a Possible Candidate for the Treatment of Dementias?

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (18) ◽  
pp. 5700
Author(s):  
Giovanni Schepici ◽  
Valentina Contestabile ◽  
Andrea Valeri ◽  
Emanuela Mazzon
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Ancient Medicine ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Beneficial Effects

As the human life expectancy increases, age-linked diseases have become more and more frequent. The worldwide increment of dementia cases demands medical solutions, but the current available drugs do not meet all the expectations. Recently the attention of the scientific community was attracted by natural compounds, used in ancient medicine, known for their beneficial effects and high tolerability. This review is focused on Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and explore its properties against Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia, two of the most common and devastating forms of dementia. This work resumes the beneficial effects of Ginger compounds, tested in computational in vitro and in vivo models of Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia, along with some human tests. All these evidences suggest a potential role of the compounds of ginger not only in the treatment of the disease, but also in its prevention.

scholarly journals Hydralazine targets cAMP-dependent protein kinase leading to sirtuin1/5 activation and lifespan extension in C. elegans

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Dehghan ◽  
Mohammad Goodarzi ◽  
Bahar Saremi ◽  
Rueyling Lin ◽  
Hamid Mirzaei
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Camp Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Dependent Protein

Abstract Therapeutic activation of mitochondrial function has been suggested as an effective strategy to combat aging. Hydralazine is an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment of hypertension, heart failure and cancer. Hydralazine has been recently shown to promote lifespan in C. elegans, rotifer and yeast through a mechanism which has remained elusive. Here we report cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) as the direct target of hydralazine. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we demonstrate a mechanism in which binding and stabilization of a catalytic subunit of PKA by hydralazine lead to improved mitochondrial function and metabolic homeostasis via the SIRT1/SIRT5 axis, which underlies hydralazine’s prolongevity and stress resistance benefits. Hydralazine also protects mitochondrial metabolism and function resulting in restoration of health and lifespan in C. elegans under high glucose and other stress conditions. Our data also provide new insights into the mechanism(s) that explain various other known beneficial effects of hydralazine.

scholarly journals Phytochemical Profile and Pharmacological Aspects of Achyranthes aspera Linn- An Overview

2021 ◽  
pp. 187-206
Author(s):  
Prakash Nargatti ◽  
Sudhir Patil ◽  
Kiran Wadkar
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Perennial Herb ◽  
African Countries ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Achyranthes Aspera ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Folk Remedy ◽  
Wide Range

Background: Achyranthes asperaLinn, commonly known as Apamarga in Ayurveda (Prickly Chaff flower in English, Aghara in Hindi, Aghada in Marathi), is aannual, perennial herb that belong to Family Amaranthaceae and Genus Achyranthes consisting of several species which are popular as folk remedies. Certain ayurvedic and Unani practitioners use various parts of plant to treat various diseases.The present review aims to provide up-to-date information on different aspects of plant involving its botanical description, phytochemistry and bioactivities of different extractsto assess its therapeutic potential as a valuable source of natural compounds with beneficial effects on human health. Methodology: Systematic search of scientific databases like Google, Google scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, SciFinder, Springer link were used to find potentially significant scientific research and reports of Achyranthes asperaLinnusing combination of relevant keywords. Results: Achyranthes aspera Linn is a popular folk remedy in the traditional medicinal system in all tropical Asian and African countries. So far,58 important compounds have been isolated and identified from various parts of plant. These isolated constituents are mainly flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, phytosterols; phenolic compounds etc which posseses activities like anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, spermicidal and other various important medicinal properties. Conclusion: Even though this plant consists of a wide range of phytochemicals and evaluated forbiological activities using various in-vitro and in-vivo models but they are limited. More attention should be paid to identify mechanisms that underlie beneficial therapeutic potential.It is essential to conduct the next level of research, by extending pharmacological to design novel drugs.

scholarly journals Potential Effects of Soy Isoflavones on the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (19) ◽  
pp. 5863
Author(s):  
Kazuo Yamagata ◽  
Yukio Yamori
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Soy Isoflavones ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Obesity Hypertension

Isoflavones are polyphenols primarily contained in soybean. As phytoestrogens, isoflavones exert beneficial effects on various chronic diseases. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of death due to arteriosclerosis in individuals with various pathological conditions, including obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Although the health benefits of soybean-derived isoflavones are widely known, their beneficial effects on the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome are incompletely understood. This review aims to describe the association between soybean-derived isoflavone intake and the risk of metabolic syndrome development. We reviewed studies on soy isoflavones, particularly daidzein and genistein, and metabolic syndrome, using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. We describe the pathological characteristics of metabolic syndrome, including those contributing to multiple pathological conditions. Furthermore, we summarize the effects of soybean-derived daidzein and genistein on metabolic syndrome reported in human epidemiological studies and experiments using in vitro and in vivo models. In particular, we emphasize the role of soy isoflavones in metabolic syndrome-induced cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, this review focuses on the potential of soy isoflavones to prevent metabolic syndrome by influencing the onset of hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and arteriosclerosis and discusses the anti-inflammatory effects of isoflavones.

scholarly journals PARA UMA DOENÇA TÃO ANTIGA, O VISLUMBRE DE NOVOS TRATAMENTOS PROMISSORES NA DOENÇA DE CHAGAS

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. eUJ4087
Author(s):  
Sabrina Sehn Hilgert ◽  
◽  
Sofia Comássio de Paula Lima ◽  
Sofia Ferreira Salviano ◽  
Cristiane Tefé-Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Time ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor

It has been more than 100 years since the discovery of Chagas Disease (CD). However, the repertoire indicated for its treatment is still limited. Thus, this article aims to present a review of the new pharmacological strategies being studied for CD. This literature review, consisting of 68 articles, from 1957 to 2021, was carried out on several scientific platforms. Positive effects from benznidazole have been described in the acute and chronic phases, in addition to its association with itraconazole in the acute phase. Among the cruzain inhibitors, the compound K777 presented trypanocidal effects, although demonstrating major adverse effects, while its analogue WRR-483 demonstrated great beneficial effects in vivo and in vitro. As for the nitroheterocyclics, fexinidazole showed high rates of cure in animal model, in addition to low toxicity. Nifurtimox, in early chronic stages, was able to delay the progression of tissue damage and reduce the parasite load. The compound WC-9, a squalene synthase inhibitor, showed potential inhibition of T. cruzi replication. Regarding aromatic diamidines, many compounds were able to stop the trypanosome, both in vitro and in vivo models. It was concluded that there are favorable findings to improve the treatment of CD. However, the development of effective new drugs does not only depend on their effective action, but also on numerous variables that must be circumvented, such as the reduction of side effects, treatment time and adherence to the current medication of choice, as well as the investment in production and distribution to the population.

scholarly journals Current Drugs and Potential Future Neuroprotective Compounds for Parkinson’s Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iván Carrera ◽  
Ramón Cacabelos
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cholesterol Metabolism ◽  
Neuronal Degeneration ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Protective Agent ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Beneficial Effects

The research progress of understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) has yet lead to the development of some clinical approaches intended to treat cognitive and behavioral symptoms, such as memory and perception disorders. Despite the major advances in different genetic causes and risk factors for PD, which share common pathways to cell dysfunction and death, there is not yet a complete model of PD that can be used to accurately predict the effect of drugs on disease progression. Clinical trials are also important to test any novel neuro-protective agent, and recently there have been great advances in the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and plant flavonoid antioxidants to protect against specific neuronal degeneration and its interference with lipid and cholesterol metabolism. The increasing knowledge of the molecular events underlying the degenerative process of PD has stimulated research to identify natural compounds capable of halting or slowing the progress of neural deterioration. Polyphenols and flavonoids, which play a neuroprotective role in a wide array of in vitro and in vivo models of neurological disorders, emerged from among the multi-target bio-agents found mainly in plants and microorganisms. This review presents a detailed overview of the multimodal activities of neuroprotective bio-agents tested so far, emphasizing their neurorescue/neuroregenerative activity. The brain-penetrating property of bioagents may make these compounds an important class of natural drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Although there are numerous studies demonstrating beneficial effects in the laboratory by identifying critical molecular targets, the clinical efficacy of these neuroprotective treatments remains to be proven accurately.

Melatonin modifies tumor hypoxia and metabolism by inhibiting HIF-1α and energy metabolic pathway in the in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
André De Lima Mota ◽  
Bruna Vitorasso Jardim-Perassi ◽  
Tialfi Bergamin De Castro ◽  
Jucimara Colombo ◽  
Nathália Martins Sonehara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Carbonic Anhydrases ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Ca Ix ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and has a high mortality rate. Adverse conditions in the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia and acidosis, may exert selective pressure on the tumor, selecting subpopulations of tumor cells with advantages for survival in this environment. In this context, therapeutic agents that can modify these conditions, and consequently the intratumoral heterogeneity need to be explored. Melatonin, in addition to its physiological effects, exhibits important anti-tumor actions which may associate with modification of hypoxia and Warburg effect. In this study, we have evaluated the action of melatonin on tumor growth and tumor metabolism by different markers of hypoxia and glucose metabolism (HIF-1α, glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT3 and carbonic anhydrases CA-IX and CA-XII) in triple negative breast cancer model. In an in vitro study, gene and protein expressions of these markers were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The effects of melatonin were also tested in a MDA-MB-231 xenograft animal model. Results showed that melatonin treatment reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells and tumor growth in Balb/c nude mice (p <0.05). The treatment significantly decreased HIF-1α gene and protein expression concomitantly with the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, CA-IX and CA-XII (p <0.05). These results strongly suggest that melatonin down-regulates HIF-1α expression and regulates glucose metabolism in breast tumor cells, therefore, controlling hypoxia and tumor progression. 

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