scholarly journals Health Promoting Effects of Brassica-Derived Phytochemicals: From Chemopreventive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities to Epigenetic Regulation

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anika Eva Wagner ◽  
Anna Maria Terschluesen ◽  
Gerald Rimbach
Keyword(s):  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

A high intake of brassica vegetables may be associated with a decreased chronic disease risk. Health promoting effects of Brassicaceae have been partly attributed to glucosinolates and in particular to their hydrolyzation products including isothiocyanates.In vitroandin vivostudies suggest a chemopreventive activity of isothiocyanates through the redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2. Furthermore, studies in cultured cells, in laboratory rodents, and also in humans support an anti-inflammatory effect of brassica-derived phytochemicals. However, the underlying mechanisms of how these compounds mediate their health promoting effects are yet not fully understood. Recent findings suggest that brassica-derived compounds are regulators of epigenetic mechanisms. It has been shown that isothiocyanates may inhibit histone deacetylase transferases and DNA-methyltransferases in cultured cells. Only a few papers have dealt with the effect of brassica-derived compounds on epigenetic mechanisms in laboratory animals, whereas data in humans are currently lacking. The present review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the biological activities of brassica-derived phytochemicals regarding chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory, and epigenetic pathways.

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.

Comparative Analysis of In-Vitro Biological Activities of Methyl Eugenol Rich Cymbopogon khasianus Hack., Leaf Essential Oil with Pure Methyl Eugenol Compound

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 927-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roktim Gogoi ◽  
Rikraj Loying ◽  
Neelav Sarma ◽  
Twahira Begum ◽  
Sudin K. Pandey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Essential Oil ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Methyl Eugenol ◽  
Dpph Assay ◽  
Pure Compound ◽  
Allium Cepa Assay ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Lemongrass Essential Oil

Background: The essential oil of methyl eugenol rich Cymbopogon khasianus Hack. was evaluated and its bioactivities were compared with pure methyl eugenol. So far, methyl eugenol rich essential oil of lemongrass was not studied for any biological activities; hence, the present study was conducted. Objective: This study examined the chemical composition of essential oil of methyl eugenol rich Cymbopogon khasianus Hack., and evaluated its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and herbicidal properties and genotoxicity, which were compared with pure compound, methyl eugenol. Material and Methods: Methyl eugenol rich variety of Cymbopogon khasianus Hack., with registration no. INGR18037 (c.v. Jor Lab L-9) was collected from experimental farm CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam (26.7378°N, 94.1570°E). The essential oil wasobtained by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical composition of the essential oil was evaluated using GC/MS analysis and its antioxidant (DPPH assay, reducing power assay), anti-inflammatory (Egg albumin denaturation assay), and antimicrobial (Disc diffusion assay, MIC) properties, seed germination effect and genotoxicity (Allium cepa assay) were studied and compared with pure Methyl Eugenol compound (ME). Results: Major components detected in the Essential Oil (EO) through Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy analysis were methyl eugenol (73.17%) and β-myrcene (8.58%). A total of 35components were detected with a total identified area percentage of 98.34%. DPPH assay revealed considerable antioxidant activity of methyl eugenol rich lemongrass essential oil (IC50= 2.263 μg/mL), which is lower than standard ascorbic acid (IC50 2.58 μg/mL), and higher than standard Methyl Eugenol (ME) (IC50 2.253 μg/mL). Methyl eugenol rich lemongrass EO showed IC50 38.00 μg/mL, ME 36.44 μg/mL, and sodium diclofenac 22.76 μg/mL, in in-vitro anti-inflammatory test. Moderate antimicrobial activity towards the 8 tested microbes was shown by methyl eugenol rich lemongrass essential oil whose effectiveness against the microbes was less as compared to pure ME standard. Seed germination assay further revealed the herbicidal properties of methyl eugenol rich essential oil. Moreover, Allium cepa assay revealed moderate genotoxicity of the essential oil. Conclusion: This paper compared the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, genotoxicity and herbicidal activities of methyl eugenol rich lemongrass with pure methyl eugenol. This methyl eugenol rich lemongrass variety can be used as an alternative of methyl eugenol pure compound. Hence, the essential oil of this variety has the potential of developing cost-effective, easily available antioxidative/ antimicrobial drugs but its use should be under the safety range of methyl eugenol and needs further clinical trials.

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 Melatonin in Cancer Treatment: Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2506
Author(s):  
Wamidh H. Talib ◽  
Ahmad Riyad Alsayed ◽  
Alaa Abuawad ◽  
Safa Daoud ◽  
Asma Ismail Mahmod
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cell Proliferation Inhibition ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Solid Foundation

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.

scholarly journals Sesquiterpene Lactones: Promising Natural Compounds to Fight Inflammation

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 991
Author(s):  
Melanie S. Matos ◽  
José D. Anastácio ◽  
Cláudia Nunes dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Plant Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Inflammatory Pathways ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Inflammatory Molecules

Inflammation is a crucial and complex process that reestablishes the physiological state after a noxious stimulus. In pathological conditions the inflammatory state may persist, leading to chronic inflammation and causing tissue damage. Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are composed of a large and diverse group of highly bioactive plant secondary metabolites, characterized by a 15-carbon backbone structure. In recent years, the interest in SLs has risen due to their vast array of biological activities beneficial for human health. The anti-inflammatory potential of these compounds results from their ability to target and inhibit various key pro-inflammatory molecules enrolled in diverse inflammatory pathways, and prevent or reduce the inflammatory damage on tissues. Research on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of SLs has thrived over the last years, and numerous compounds from diverse plants have been studied, using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assays. Besides their anti-inflammatory potential, their cytotoxicity, structure–activity relationships, and pharmacokinetics have been investigated. This review aims to gather the most relevant results and insights concerning the anti-inflammatory potential of SL-rich extracts and pure SLs, focusing on their effects in different inflammatory pathways and on different molecular players.

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.

scholarly journals Effects of prostaglandin lipid mediators on agonist-induced lung endothelial permeability and inflammation

2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (4) ◽  
pp. L710-L721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunbo Ke ◽  
Olga V. Oskolkova ◽  
Nicolene Sarich ◽  
Yufeng Tian ◽  
Albert Sitikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
Endothelial Permeability ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Prostaglandins (PG), the products of cyclooxygenase-mediated conversion of arachidonic acid, become upregulated in many situations including allergic response, inflammation, and injury, and exhibit a variety of biological activities. Previous studies described barrier-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effects of PGE2 and PGI2 on vascular endothelial cells (EC). Yet, the effects of other PG members on EC barrier and inflammatory activation have not been systematically analyzed. This study compared effects of PGE2, PGI2, PGF2α, PGA2, PGJ2, and PGD2 on human pulmonary EC. EC permeability was assessed by measurements of transendothelial electrical resistance and cell monolayer permeability for FITC-labeled tracer. Anti-inflammatory effects of PGs were evaluated by analysis of expression of adhesion molecule ICAM1 and secretion of soluble ICAM1 and cytokines by EC. PGE2, PGI2, and PGA2 exhibited the most potent barrier-enhancing effects and most efficient attenuation of thrombin-induced EC permeability and contractile response, whereas PGI2 effectively suppressed thrombin-induced permeability but was less efficient in the attenuation of prolonged EC hyperpermeability caused by interleukin-6 or bacterial wall lipopolysaccharide, LPS. PGD2 showed a modest protective effect on the EC inflammatory response, whereas PGF2α and PGJ2 were without effect on agonist-induced EC barrier dysfunction. In vivo, PGE2, PGI2, and PGA2 attenuated LPS-induced lung inflammation, whereas PGF2α and PGJ2 were without effect. Interestingly, PGD2 exhibited a protective effect in the in vivo model of LPS-induced lung injury. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of barrier-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of different prostaglandins on lung EC in vitro and in vivo and identifies PGE2, PGI2, and PGA2 as prostaglandins with the most potent protective properties.

scholarly journals CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (24) ◽  
pp. 1092-1104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Konno ◽  
Koji Kasanuki ◽  
Takeshi Ikeuchi ◽  
Dennis W. Dickson ◽  
Zbigniew K. Wszolek
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Extrapyramidal Signs ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Since the discovery of CSF1R gene mutations in families with hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids in 2012, more than 70 different mutations have been identified around the world. Through the analyses of mutation carriers, CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy has been distinctly characterized clinically, radiologically, and pathologically. Typically, patients present with frontotemporal dementia-like phenotype in their 40s–50s, accompanied by motor symptoms, including pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs. Women tend to develop the clinical symptoms at a younger age than men. On brain imaging, in addition to white matter abnormalities, thinning of the corpus callosum, diffusion-restricted lesions in the white matter, and brain calcifications are hallmarks. Primary axonopathy followed by demyelination was suggested by pathology. Haploinsufficiency of colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) is evident in a patient with a frameshift mutation, facilitating the establishment of Csf1r haploinsufficient mouse model. These mice develop clinical, radiologic, and pathologic phenotypes consistent with those of human patients with CSF1R mutations. In vitro, perturbation of CSF1R signaling is shown in cultured cells expressing mutant CSF1R. However, the underlying mechanisms by which CSF1R mutations selectively lead to white matter degeneration remains to be elucidated. Given that CSF1R mainly expresses in microglia, CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy is representative of primary microgliopathies, of which microglia have a pivotal and primary role in pathogenesis. In this review, we address the current knowledge of CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy and discuss the putative pathophysiology, with a focus on microglia, as well as future research directions.

scholarly journals Search and evaluation of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters of selective blocker of TRPA 1 ion channels from the group of substituted pyrazinopyrimidinones

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Evgeniya А. Beskhmelnitsyna ◽  
Dmitriy V. Kravchenko ◽  
Lev N. Sernov ◽  
Irina N. Dolzhikova ◽  
Tatyana V. Avtina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Absolute Bioavailability ◽  
Organ Distribution ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽  
In Vitro Tests ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
General Locomotor Activity ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Introduction. Doctors of almost all specialties have to deal with the problem of pain and its relief. According to the literature, almost 30 million people daily take analgesics from the group of non-opioid analgesics, but in more than half of them 4-6 hours after taking the medication, the severity of pain is unchanged. Objective. to search for the most active molecules potential selective inhibitors of the TRPA1 ion channel with further investigation of their pharmacodynamic effects, toxicological safety, pharmacokinetic parameters and organ distribution, as well as to assess their impact on the psychoemotional state, general locomotor activity levels and anxiety in laboratory animals. Materials and methods. According to the results of in vitro tests, the most active molecule under code ZC02-0012 was selected from the pool of candidates. Further its analgesic activity was evaluated using an acetic acid-induced writhing test and a hot plate test; its anti-inflammatory activity was studied in the acute exudative paw edema model; in the open field and elevated plus-maze tests the influence of ZC02-0012 on the general locomotor activity levels and the anxiety of the laboratory animals was studied. The pharmacokinetic parameters and organ distribution of the substance ZC02-0012 were studied using a liquid chromatograph with an operating pressure range of 0-60 mPa (Thermo Scientific Dionex UltiMate 3000). Results and discussion. According to the results of in vitro tests, it was found that IC50 of the TRPA1 selective inhibitor under laboratory code ZC02-0012 was 91.3 nmol. The preclinical studies showed that ZC02-0012 possessed pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities and absence of the influence on the behavior and anxiety of the laboratory animals. Absolute bioavailability of ZC02-0012 in rabbits was 47%, while ZC02-0012 was intensely distributed into organs and tissues with a high level of blood circulation. The highest content of ZC02-0012 is typical of liver, kidneys and lungs, the lowest – for muscle tissue. Most of the substance is undergone rapid biotransformation and excreted as metabolites.

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