scholarly journals Are Supplements Safe? Effects of Gallic and Ferulic Acids on In Vitro Cell Models

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Truzzi ◽  
Maria Chiara Valerii ◽  
Camilla Tibaldi ◽  
Yanxin Zhang ◽  
Veronika Abduazizova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Intestinal Wall ◽  
Cell Models ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mucosal Layer ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Ferulic Acids

Polyphenols display health-promoting properties linked to their biological activities. They are initially absorbed in the small intestine, then they are largely metabolized in the colon, whereupon they are able to exert systemic effects. The health-promoting properties of polyphenols have led to the development of food supplements, which are also largely consumed by healthy people, even if data on their safety are still yet lacking. In the present paper, the content of gallic acid and ferulic acid was analyzed in two supplements, and shown to be higher than the relative contents found in fruit and flour. To evaluate the effects of these phenolic compounds on epithelial intestinal tissue, gallic and ferulic acids were added to a new in vitro model of the intestinal wall at different concentrations. The effects on viability, proliferation and migration of these compounds were respectively tested on three different cell lines (Caco2, L929 and U937), as well as on a tridimensional intestinal model, composed of a mucosal layer and a submucosa with fibroblasts and monocytes. Results indicated that gallic and ferulic acids can exert toxic effects on in vitro cell models at high concentrations, suggesting that an excessive and uncontrolled consumption of polyphenols may induce negative effects on the intestinal wall.

scholarly journals Lignans of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive Review

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 883
Author(s):  
Mebeaselassie Andargie ◽  
Maria Vinas ◽  
Anna Rathgeb ◽  
Evelyn Möller ◽  
Petr Karlovsky
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Transformation Products ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Sesame Seeds ◽  
Historical Texts ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Processed Products

Major lignans of sesame sesamin and sesamolin are benzodioxol--substituted furofurans. Sesamol, sesaminol, its epimers, and episesamin are transformation products found in processed products. Synthetic routes to all lignans are known but only sesamol is synthesized industrially. Biosynthesis of furofuran lignans begins with the dimerization of coniferyl alcohol, followed by the formation of dioxoles, oxidation, and glycosylation. Most genes of the lignan pathway in sesame have been identified but the inheritance of lignan content is poorly understood. Health-promoting properties make lignans attractive components of functional food. Lignans enhance the efficiency of insecticides and possess antifeedant activity, but their biological function in plants remains hypothetical. In this work, extensive literature including historical texts is reviewed, controversial issues are critically examined, and errors perpetuated in literature are corrected. The following aspects are covered: chemical properties and transformations of lignans; analysis, purification, and total synthesis; occurrence in Seseamum indicum and related plants; biosynthesis and genetics; biological activities; health-promoting properties; and biological functions. Finally, the improvement of lignan content in sesame seeds by breeding and biotechnology and the potential of hairy roots for manufacturing lignans in vitro are outlined.

scholarly journals Chromatography-Independent Fractionation and Newly Identified Molecular Features of the Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis Willd.) β-vignin Protein

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3018
Author(s):  
Biane Philadelpho ◽  
Victória Souza ◽  
Fabiani Souza ◽  
Johnnie Santos ◽  
Fabiana Batista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metal Binding ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Electrophoretic Analysis ◽  
Adzuki Bean ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
High Degree

Adzuki seed β-vignin, a vicilin-like globulin, has proven to exert various health-promoting biological activities, notably in cardiovascular health. A simple scalable enrichment procedure of this protein for further nutritional and functional studies is crucial. In this study, a simplified chromatography-independent protein fractionation procedure has been optimized and described. The electrophoretic analysis showed a high degree of homogeneity of β-vignin isolate. Furthermore, the molecular features of the purified protein were investigated. The adzuki bean β-vignin was found to have a native size of 146 kDa, and the molecular weight determined was consistent with a trimeric structure. These were identified in two main polypeptide chains (masses of 56–54 kDa) that are glycosylated polypeptides with metal binding capacity, and one minor polypeptide chain with a mass 37 kDa, wherein these features are absent. The in vitro analysis showed a high degree of digestibility of the protein (92%) and potential anti-inflammatory capacity. The results lay the basis not only for further investigation of the health-promoting properties of the adzuki bean β-vignin protein, but also for a possible application as nutraceutical molecule.

scholarly journals Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Biological Activities

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 614
Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
Sushil Changan ◽  
Maharishi Tomar ◽  
Uma Prajapati ◽  
Vivek Saurabh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Annona Squamosa ◽  
Tropical Fruit ◽  
Custard Apple ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Phytochemical Profile

Annona squamosa L. (custard apple) belongs to the family Annonaceae and is an important tropical fruit cultivated in the West Indies, South and Central America, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, India, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Egypt. Leaves of custard apple plants have been studied for their health benefits, which are attributed to a considerable diversity of phytochemicals. These compounds include phenol-based compounds, e.g., proanthocyanidins, comprising 18 different phenolic compounds, mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Extracts from Annona squamosa leaves (ASLs) have been studied for their biological activities, including anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiobesity, lipid-lowering, and hepatoprotective functions. In the current article, we discussed the nutritional and phytochemical diversity of ASLs. Additionally, ASL extracts were discussed with respect to their biological activities, which were established by in vivo and in vitro experiments. A survey of the literature based on the phytochemical profile and health-promoting effects of ASLs showed that they can be used as potential ingredients for the development of pharmaceutical drugs and functional foods. Although there are sufficient findings available from in vitro and in vivo investigations, clinical trials are still needed to determine the exact effects of ASL extracts on human health.

Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) pods: a rich source of bioactive ingredients with antimicrobial, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, anti-diabetic and health-promoting properties

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 2051-2069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiza Mejri ◽  
Slimen Selmi ◽  
Alice Martins ◽  
Haifa benkhoud ◽  
Tarek Baati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Enzyme ◽  
Vicia Faba ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Broad Bean ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Vicia Faba L ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Bioactive Ingredients

Broad bean pods have been proven to be a functional food with promising in vitro and in vivo biological activities.

scholarly journals Sapogenol is a Major Microbial Metabolite in Human Plasma Associated with High Protein Soy-Based Diets: The Relevance for Functional Food Formulations

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 422
Author(s):  
Madalina Neacsu ◽  
Vassilios Raikos ◽  
Yara Benavides-Paz ◽  
Sylvia H. Duncan ◽  
Gary J. Duncan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Foods ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Soya Meal ◽  
Human Volunteers ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Health Promoting

Legumes are a source of health-promoting macro- and micronutrients, but also contain numerous phytochemicals with useful biological activities, an example of which are saponins. Epidemiological studies suggest that saponins may play a role in protection from cancer and benefit human health by lowering cholesterol. Therefore, they could represent good candidates for specialised functional foods. Following the consumption of a soya-rich high-protein weight-loss diet (SOYA HP WL), the concentrations of Soyasaponin I (SSI) and soyasapogenol B (SSB) were determined in faecal samples from human volunteers (n = 10) and found to be between 1.4 and 17.5 mg per 100 g fresh faecal sample. SSB was the major metabolite identified in volunteers’ plasma (n = 10) after consumption of the soya test meal (SOYA MEAL); the postprandial (3 h after meal) plasma concentration for SSB varied between 48.5 ng/mL to 103.2 ng/mL. The metabolism of SSI by the gut microbiota (in vitro) was also confirmed. This study shows that the main systemic metabolites of soyasaponin are absorbed from the gut and that they are bioavailable in plasma predominantly as conjugates of sapogenol. The metabolism and bioavailability of biologically active molecules represent key information necessary for the efficient development of functional foods.

scholarly journals Biphasic Effect of Pirfenidone on Angiogenesis

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghao Gan ◽  
Wenxiang Cheng ◽  
Liqing Ke ◽  
Antonia RuJia Sun ◽  
Qingyun Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Endothelial Cell Migration ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Biphasic Effect ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
And Migration ◽  
The Impact

Pirfenidone (PFD), a synthetic arsenic compound, has been found to inhibit angiogenesis at high concentrations. However, the biphasic effects of different PFD concentrations on angiogenesis have not yet been elucidated, and the present study used an in vitro model to explore the mechanisms underlying this biphasic response. The effect of PFD on the initial angiogenesis of vascular endothelial cells was investigated through a Matrigel tube formation assay, and the impact of PFD on endothelial cell migration was evaluated through scratch and transwell migration experiments. Moreover, the expression of key migration cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, was examined. Finally, the biphasic mechanism of PFD on angiogenesis was explored through cell signaling and apoptosis analyses. The results showed that 10–100 μM PFD has a significant and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on tube formation and migration, while 10 nM–1 μM PFD significantly promoted tube formation and migration, with 100 nM PFD having the strongest effect. Additionally, we found that a high concentration of PFD could significantly inhibit MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, while low concentrations of PFD significantly promoted their expression. Finally, we found that high concentrations of PFD inhibited EA.hy926 cell tube formation by promoting apoptosis, while low concentrations of PFD promoted tube formation by increasing MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression predominantly via the EGFR/p-p38 pathway. Overall, PFD elicits a biphasic effect on angiogenesis through different mechanisms, could be used as a new potential drug for the treatment of vascular diseases.

scholarly journals Aspects of anthocyanin absorption, metabolism and pharmacokinetics in humans

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin D Kay
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Maximum Plasma ◽  
Elimination Half ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Clearance Kinetics ◽  
Berry Anthocyanins

AbstractInterest in the health-promoting properties of berry anthocyanins is intensifying; however, findings are primarily based onin vitrocharacteristics, leaving mechanisms associated with absorption, metabolism and pharmacokinetics largely unexplored. The present review integrates the available anthocyanin literature with that of similar flavonoids or polyphenols in order to form hypotheses regarding absorption, metabolism and clearance in humans. Of the limited available literature regarding the absorption and clearance kinetics of anthocyanins, maximum plasma concentrations are reported anywhere between 1·4 and 592 nmol/l and occur at 0·5–4 h post-consumption (doses; 68–1300 mg). Average urinary excretion is reported between 0·03 and 4 % of the ingested dose, having elimination half-lives of 1·5–3 h. In addition, much is unknown regarding the metabolism of anthocyanins. The most commonly cited conjugation reactions involved in the metabolism of other flavonoids include glucuronidation, methylation and sulfation. It is reasonable to suspect that anthocyanins are metabolised in much the same manner; however, until recently, there was little evidence to suggest that anthocyanins were metabolised to any significant extent. New evidence now suggests that anthocyanins are absorbed and transported in human serum and urine primarily as metabolites, with recent studies documenting as much as 68–80 % of anthocyanins as metabolised derivatives in human urine. Further research is required to resolve mechanisms associated with the absorption, metabolism and clearance of anthocyanins in order to establish their true biological activities and health effects. The presented evidence will hopefully focus future research, refining study design and propagating a more complete understanding of anthocyanins' biological significance in humans.

scholarly journals Restricted immune activation and internalisation of anti-idiotype complexes between drug and antidrug antibodies

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1471-1479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin A van Schie ◽  
Simone Kruithof ◽  
Pleuni Ooijevaar-de Heer ◽  
Ninotska I L Derksen ◽  
Fleur S van de Bovenkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Immune Activation ◽  
Immune Complexes ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Exclusion Chromatography ◽  
Soluble Immune Complexes ◽  
High Concentrations

ObjectivesTherapeutic antibodies can provoke an antidrug antibody (ADA) response, which can form soluble immune complexes with the drug in potentially high amounts. Nevertheless, ADA-associated adverse events are usually rare, although with notable exceptions including infliximab. The immune activating effects and the eventual fate of these ‘anti-idiotype’ complexes are poorly studied, hampering assessment of ADA-associated risk of adverse events. We investigated the in vitro formation and biological activities of ADA-drug anti-idiotype immune complexes using patient-derived monoclonal anti-infliximab antibodies.MethodsSize distribution and conformation of ADA-drug complexes were characterised by size-exclusion chromatography and electron microscopy. Internalisation of and immune activation by complexes of defined size was visualised with flow imaging, whole blood cell assay and C4b/c ELISA.ResultsSize and conformation of immune complexes depended on the concentrations and ratio of drug and ADA; large complexes (>6 IgGs) formed only with high ADA titres. Macrophages efficiently internalised tetrameric and bigger complexes in vitro, but not dimers. Corroborating these results, ex vivo analysis of patient sera demonstrated only dimeric complexes in circulation.No activation of immune cells by anti-idiotype complexes was observed, and only very large complexes activated complement. Unlike Fc-linked hexamers, anti-idiotype hexamers did not activate complement, demonstrating that besides size, conformation governs immune complex potential for triggering effector functions.ConclusionsAnti-idiotype ADA-drug complexes generally have restricted immune activation capacity. Large, irregularly shaped complexes only form at high concentrations of both drug and ADA, as may be achieved during intravenous infusion of infliximab, explaining the rarity of serious ADA-associated adverse events.

scholarly journals Unique Biological Activity and Potential Role of Monomeric Laminin-γ2 as a Novel Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Yasuda ◽  
Masatoshi Nakagawa ◽  
Hirofumi Kiyokawa ◽  
Eisaku Yoshida ◽  
Toru Yoshimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Cancer Surveillance ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Digestive Cancers ◽  
Chemiluminescent Immunoassay ◽  
And Migration

Laminin (Ln)-332 consists of α3, β3, and γ2 chains, which mediate epithelial cell adhesion to the basement membrane. Ln-γ2, a component of Ln-332, is frequently expressed as a monomer in the invasion front of several types of malignant tissues without simultaneous expression of Ln-α3 and/or Ln-β3 chains. Moreover, monomeric Ln-γ2 induces tumor cell proliferation and migration in vitro. These unique biological activities indicate that monomeric Ln-γ2 could be a candidate biomarker for early cancer surveillance. However, the present immune method for monomeric Ln-γ2 detection can only predict its expression, since no antibody that specifically reacts with monomeric γ2, but not with heterotrimeric γ2 chain, is commercially available. We have, therefore, developed monoclonal antibodies to specifically detect monomeric Ln-γ2, and devised a highly sensitive method to measure serum monomeric Ln-γ2 levels using a fully automated chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). We evaluated its diagnostic value in sera from patients with several digestive cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and found serum monomeric Ln-γ2 to be a clinically available biomarker for HCC surveillance. The combination of monomeric Ln-γ2 and prothrombin induced by Vitamin K Absence II (PIVKA-II) may be more sensitive for clinical diagnosis of HCC than any currently used combination.

scholarly journals Underutilised fruits: a review of phytochemistry and biological properties

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Hasan Salahuddin Mirfat ◽  
Ismail Amin ◽  
Kassim Nur Kartinee ◽  
Hamid Muhajir ◽  
Mat Ali Mohd Shukri
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Fruit Species ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Health Significance ◽  
Canarium Odontophyllum

Underutilised fruits are not only important sources of food and nutrition, but also secure household income especially for rural and farm communities. However, some of the underutilised fruits have not received much attention as compared to commercial fruits. This could be due to their lack of knowledge of their potential values. Hence, information about their health promoting properties is critical to increase the value of underutilised fruit species to enhance their preservation and sustainable use in strengthening food, nutrition, health and livelihood security. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the phytochemical properties and biological activities of underutilised fruit species grown in Malaysia focussing on health promoting aspects. With regard to phytochemistry, only 21 species of underutilised fruits have been identified and quantified. Phytochemical investigations of various parts of the fruits have revealed the presence of over 100 phytochemicals which are phenolics, terpenoids, carotenoids and other miscellaneous compounds. About 51 underutilised fruit species have been explored for interesting biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, cytotoxicity, antiatherosclerotic, antihyperlipidemia, antidiabetic, cytoprotective, cardioprotective and antiplatelet activities) supporting their diverse traditional uses. Different parts of the fruits have been analysed mainly in vitro and barely in vivo, with pulp being the most dominant. Of all the underutilised fruits studied, Mangifera species and Canarium odontophyllum have been the major focus for researchers. The gaps obtained from this review create further research opportunities to add to the current knowledge of health promoting properties of underutilised fruits in Malaysia. More studies are needed to confirm the health significance and explain their mechanisms of action in order to fully understand the real potential of this underutilised fruit species.

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