scholarly journals Investigation of the Synergistic Effect of Brown Sugar, Longan, Ginger, and Jujube (Brown Sugar Longan Ginger Tea) on Antioxidation and Anti-Inflammation in In Vitro Models

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ping Lin ◽  
Kai-Wen Kan ◽  
Jia-Haur Chen ◽  
Yung-Kai Lin ◽  
Yung-Hao Lin ◽  
...  

This research unveils the synergistic effect of brown sugar, longan, ginger, and jujube on the beneficial effects of antioxidation and anti-inflammation. Longan, ginger, and jujube are ubiquitous herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and are frequently used in folk remedies. Longan and ginger have been reported to be beneficial for antioxidation, anti-inflammation, ant-obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) improvements. However, the potential scientific and medical benefits of their combination Brown Sugar Longan Ginger Tea (BSLGT), a popular drink in Chinese cultures, are elusive. Through the in vitro methodologies, we discovered that BSLGT could significantly improve the mitochondrial activity, antioxidant capacity, lipid content, and inflammatory response in human hepatocytes. In addition, BSLGT also exerted positive effects on the downregulation of atherosclerosis-associated, vasoconstrictor, and thrombosis-related gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In short, our experimental results successfully revealed that the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of BSLGT may have the potential to improve liver metabolism and cardiovascular inflammation although solid evidence requires further investigation.

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2180 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Ariza ◽  
Tamara Forbes-Hernández ◽  
Patricia Reboredo-Rodríguez ◽  
Sadia Afrin ◽  
Massimiliano Gasparrini ◽  
...  

Strawberry fruits are highly appreciated by consumers worldwide due to their bright red color, typical aroma, and juicy texture. While the biological activity of the complete fruit has been widely studied, the potential beneficial effects of the achenes (commonly named seeds) remain unknown. In addition, when raw fruit and achenes are consumed, the digestion process could alter the release and absorption of their phytochemical compounds, compromising their bioactivity. In the present work, we evaluated the protective effects against oxidative damage of nondigested and digested extracts from strawberry fruit and achenes in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. For that purpose, cells were treated with different concentration of the extracts prior to incubation with the stressor agent, AAPH (2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride). Subsequently, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the percentage of live, dead, and apoptotic cells were determined. Our results demonstrated that all the evaluated fractions were able to counteract the AAPH-induced damage, suggesting that the achenes also present biological activity. The positive effects of both the raw fruit and achenes were maintained after the in vitro digestion process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Puglisi

Aqueous extracts were obtained at low temperature with the Naviglio technology from grapevine stalks (Merlot), marc (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) and leaves (Merlot) as typical byproducts of winemaking industry, and their properties were evaluated cytofluorometrically on human dermal fibroblasts. Leaf extracts had the greatest total phenolic ((47.6±3.5) mg/g) and proanthocyanidin ((24.2±0.1) mg/g) contents compared to the others. The preliminary colorimetric MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay individuated two consecutive non-toxic volume fractions of each extract (from 0.8 to 12.8 %) that were adopted for three cytofluorometric tests. The first cell membrane test did not evidence any harmful effects against plasma membranes at the two non-toxic volume fractions. The second mitochondrial membrane test showed a decreased (p<0.01) percentage of cells ((15.7±8.3) vs (32.5±1.3) %) with active polarized mitochondrial membranes at the higher non-cytotoxic volume fractions of extracts from Cabernet Sauvignon marc in response to 4.5 mM H2O2, and from Merlot stalks (p<0.05) at 1.5 mM H2O2 ((49.3±6.1) vs (64.6±2.4) %) and without H2O2 ((89.7±2.4) vs (96.9±1.8) %), compared to the controls submitted to the same H2O2 concentration. Conversely, mitochondrial activity of leaf extracts significantly (p<0.05) increased ((96.3±1.8) and (96.4±1.4) %) after treatment with 0.5 mM H2O2 at both non-cytotoxic volume fractions compared to control ((88.2±1.1) %). Finally, as evidenced by the third oxidative status test, stalk extracts did not evidence relevant effects on the cellular oxidative state, while the extracts of marc and leaves demonstrated significantly medium (p<0.05) to highly (p<0.001) positive effects following exposure to H2O2 ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 mM, compared to controls.


Antioxidants ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Serreli ◽  
Monica Deiana

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenols beneficial effects have widely been debated throughout the last three decades, with greater attention to hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, which are by far the most studied. The main concern about the evaluation of EVOO phenols activities in vitro and in vivo is that the absorption and metabolism of these compounds once ingested lead to the production of different metabolites in the human body. EVOO phenols in the ingested forms are less concentrated in human tissues than their glucuronide, sulfate and methyl metabolites; on the other hand, metabolites may undergo deconjugation before entering the cells and thus act as free forms or may be reformed inside the cells so acting as conjugated forms. In most in vitro studies the presence of methyl/sulfate/glucuronide functional groups does not seem to inhibit biological activity. Parent compounds and metabolites have been shown to reach tissue concentrations useful to exert beneficial effects others than antioxidant and scavenging properties, by modulating intracellular signaling and improving cellular response to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory stimuli. This review aims to give an overview on the reported evidence of the positive effects exerted by the main EVOO polyphenols metabolites in comparison with the parent compounds.


Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fliszár-Nyúl ◽  
Mohos ◽  
Bencsik ◽  
Lemli ◽  
Kunsági-Máté ◽  
...  

7,8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) is a flavone aglycone which has beneficial effects in several central nervous system diseases. Most of the pharmacokinetic properties of DHF have been characterized, while only limited information is available regarding its interactions with serum albumin and biotransformation enzymes. In this study, the interactions of DHF with albumin was examined employing fluorescence spectroscopy and ultrafiltration. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of DHF on cytochrome P450 (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4) and xanthine oxidase (XO) enzymes were also tested using in vitro models. Our results demonstrate that DHF forms a stable complex with albumin (K = 4.9 × 105 L/mol) and that it is able to displace both Site I and Site II ligands. Moreover, DHF proved to be a potent inhibitor of each enzyme tested, showing similar or slightly weaker effects than the positive controls used. Considering the above-listed observations, the coadministration of DHF with drugs may interfere with the drug therapy due to the development of pharmacokinetic interactions.


2020 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-016859
Author(s):  
Alyssa McCulloch ◽  
Ashley Turcott ◽  
Gabriella Graham ◽  
Sergey Frenklakh ◽  
Kristen O'Halloran Cardinal

ObjectiveThe goal of this work was to endothelialize silicone aneurysm tubes for use as in vitro models for evaluating endothelial cell interactions with neurovascular devices. The first objective was to establish consistent and confluent endothelial cell linings and to evaluate the silicone vessels over time. The second objective was to use these silicone vessels for flow diverter implantation and assessment.MethodsSilicone aneurysm tubes were coated with fibronectin and placed into individual bioreactor systems. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were deposited within tubes to create silicone vessels, then cultivated on a peristaltic pump and harvested at 2, 5, 7, or 10 days to evaluate the endothelial cell lining. A subset of silicone aneurysm vessels was used for flow diverter implantation, and evaluated for cell coverage over device struts at 3 or 7 days after deployment.ResultsSilicone vessels maintained confluent, PECAM-1 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1) positive endothelial cell linings over time. These vessels facilitated and withstood flow diverter implantation, with robust cell linings disclosed after device deployment. Additionally, the endothelial cells responded to implanted devices through coverage of the flow diverter struts with increased cell coverage over the aneurysm seen at 7 days after deployment as compared with 3 days.ConclusionsSilicone aneurysm models can be endothelialized and successfully maintained in vitro over time. Furthermore, these silicone vessels can be used for flow diverter implantation and assessment.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amjad Khan ◽  
Muhammad Ikram ◽  
Jong Ryeal Hahm ◽  
Myeong Ok Kim

Neurodegenerative disorders have emerged as a serious health issue in the current era. The most common neurodegenerative disorders are Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These diseases involve progressive impairment of neurodegeneration and memory impairment. A wide range of compounds have been identified as potential neuroprotective agents against different models of neurodegeneration both in vivo and in vitro. Hesperetin, a flavanone class of citrus flavonoid, is a derivative of hesperidin found in citrus fruits such as oranges, grapes, and lemons. It has been extensively reported that hesperetin exerts neuroprotective effects in experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases. In this systematic review, we have compiled all the studies conducted on hesperetin in both in vivo and in vitro models of neurodegeneration. Here, we have used an approach to lessen the bias in each study, providing a least biased, broad understanding of findings and impartial conclusions of the strength of evidence and the reliability of findings. In this review, we collected different papers from a wide range of journals describing the beneficial effects of hesperetin on animal models of neurodegeneration. Our results demonstrated consistent neuroprotective effects of hesperetin against different models of neurodegeneration. In addition, we have summarized its underlying mechanisms. This study provides the foundations for future studies and recommendations of further mechanistic approaches to conduct preclinical studies on hesperetin in different models.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Pala ◽  
C. M. Rotella

The introduction of incretin hormone-based therapies represents a novel therapeutic strategy, since these drugs not only improve glycemia with minimal risk of hypoglycemia, but also have other extraglycemic beneficial effects. These agents, which are effective in improving glucose control, could also have positive effects on the incidence of cardiovascular events. The aim of this review is to summarize the present literature about the role of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) in cardiovascular districts, not only strictly correlated to its effect on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) circulating levels, but also to what is known about possible cardiovascular actions. Actually, DPP4 is known to be present in many cells and tissues and its effects go beyond purely metabolic aspects. Almost always the inhibition of DPP4 activity is associated with improved cardiovascular profile, but it has shown to possess antithrombotic properties and these different effects could be connected with a site and/or species specificity of DPP4. Certainly, DPP4 seems to exert many functions, both directly and indirectly, on cardiovascular districts, opening new possibilities of prevention and treatment of complications at this level, not only in patients affected by diabetes mellitus.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1767-1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Asrih ◽  
Christophe Montessuit ◽  
Jacques Philippe ◽  
François R. Jornayvaz

Background/Aims: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a key mediator of glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the beneficial effects of exogenous FGF21 administration are attenuated in obese animals and humans with elevated levels of circulating free fatty acids (FFA). Methods: We investigated in vitro how FFA impact FGF21 effects on hepatic lipid metabolism. Results: In the absence of FFA, FGF21 reduced lipogenesis and increased lipid oxidation in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of lipogenesis was associated with a down regulation of SREBP-1c, FAS and SCD1. The lipid-lowering effect was associated with AMPK and ACC phosphorylation, and up regulation of CPT-1α expression. Further, FGF21 treatment reduced TNFα gene expression, suggesting a beneficial action of FGF21 on inflammation. In contrast, the addition of FFA abolished the positive effects of FGF21 on lipid metabolism. Conclusion: In the absence of FFA, FGF21 improves lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells and reduces the inflammatory cytokine TNFα. However, under high levels of FFA, FGF21 action on lipid metabolism and TNFα gene expression is impaired. Therefore, FFA impair FGF21 action in HepG2 cells potentially through TNFα.


2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 92-102
Author(s):  
Filip Benko ◽  
Valentína Palkovičová ◽  
Michal Ďuračka ◽  
Július Árvay ◽  
Norbert Lukáč ◽  
...  

Summary The aim of our study was evaluation of potential antioxidant effects of marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract and assessment of its in vitro impact on the selected quality parameters of bovine spermatozoa. Marigold is medicinal herb from the family Asteraceae native to southern Europe, and it commonly used in pharmacology and medicine. Its well-known positive properties include antioxidant, antibacterial, antiflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antihelmintic and wound-healing activities. In this study, the flower extracts were subjected to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which identified especially phenolic acids (rosmarinic and chlorogenic acids) and polyphenols (rutin, kaempferol, resveratrol, quercetin and apigenin). These substances are known for their antioxidant activity and protective effects against oxidative stress. For our experiments, 10 samples of semen from sexually mature Holstein bulls were collected on a single day by using an artificial vagina, diluted in physiological saline solution and exposed to solutions with different concentration of marigold flower extract (75, 150 and 300 µg/mL). Selected quality parameters (motility, mitochondrial activity, production of reactive oxygen species – ROS, protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation – LPO) were analyzed after 0, 2 and 24 hours of in vitro culture. The motility evaluation was performed by using the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) method. This method revealed that 75 and 150 µg/mL extract had positive effects and increased the motility (P<0.01) and mitochondrial activity (P<0.0001) of bovine spermatozoa compared to the control group following 2 and 24 hours. This phenomenon was observed also in case of ROS production, protein oxidation and LPO. Marigold extract concentrations of 75 and 150 µg/mL decreased the levels of ROS, protein oxidation and damage to the membranes caused by LPO compared to the control group (P<0.05; P<0.01) at time 2 and 24 hours. At the same time, 300 µg/mL extract exhibited positive, although less significant, effects compared to 75 and 150 µg/mL extracts. The data acquired from our study confirm that 75 and 150 µg/mL of marigold flower extract have positive effects on the motility and mitochondrial activity of bovine spermatozoa, and decrease ROS generation, LPO and protein oxidation in spermatozoa. Based on our results, the flower extract from marigold could be used for protection against oxidative stress in in vitro cultures of male gametes.


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