scholarly journals Role of Quercetin in Depressive-Like Behaviors: Findings from Animal Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 7116
Author(s):  
Serena Silvestro ◽  
Placido Bramanti ◽  
Emanuela Mazzon
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Novel Treatment ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits

Depressive-like behavior is a highly prevalent worldwide neuropsychiatric disorder that owns a complex pathophysiologic mechanism. The available pharmacotherapy is ineffective for most patients and shown several adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to find efficacy and safe antidepressive compounds. Some phytochemicals compounds regulate the same genes and pathways targeted by drugs; therefore, diets rich in fruits and vegetables could be considered novel treatment approaches. Currently, the functional properties of quercetin acquired great interest, due to its beneficial effects on health. Quercetin is a flavonoid ubiquitously present in vegetables and fruits, interestingly for its strong antioxidant properties. The purpose of this review is to summarize the preclinical studies present in the literature, in the last ten years, aimed at illustrating the effects of quercetin pre-treatment in depressive-like behaviors. Quercetin resulted in antidepressant-like actions due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This pointed out the usefulness of this flavonoid as a nutraceutical compound against the development of psychological stress-induced behavioral perturbation. Therefore, quercetin or a diet containing it may become a prospective supplementation or an efficient adjuvant therapy for preventing stress-mediated depressive-like behavior.

scholarly journals Vitamin C and Cardiovascular Disease: An Update

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1227
Author(s):  
Marco B. Morelli ◽  
Jessica Gambardella ◽  
Vanessa Castellanos ◽  
Valentina Trimarco ◽  
Gaetano Santulli
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Cardiovascular Disorders ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pathological Conditions

The potential beneficial effects of the antioxidant properties of vitamin C have been investigated in a number of pathological conditions. In this review, we assess both clinical and preclinical studies evaluating the role of vitamin C in cardiac and vascular disorders, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and cerebrovascular diseases. Pitfalls and controversies in investigations on vitamin C and cardiovascular disorders are also discussed.

scholarly journals Protective Role of Natural and Semi-Synthetic Tocopherols on TNFα-Induced ROS Production and ICAM-1 and Cl-2 Expression in HT29 Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Vladana Domazetovic ◽  
Irene Falsetti ◽  
Caterina Viglianisi ◽  
Kristian Vasa ◽  
Cinzia Aurilia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Bowel Diseases

Vitamin E, a fat-soluble compound, possesses both antioxidant and non-antioxidant properties. In this study we evaluated, in intestinal HT29 cells, the role of natural tocopherols, α-Toc and δ-Toc, and two semi-synthetic derivatives, namely bis-δ-Toc sulfide (δ-Toc)2S and bis-δ-Toc disulfide (δ-Toc)2S2, on TNFα-induced oxidative stress, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and claudin-2 (Cl-2) expression. The role of tocopherols was compared to that of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant precursor of glutathione synthesis. The results show that all tocopherol containing derivatives used, prevented TNFα-induced oxidative stress and the increase of ICAM-1 and Cl-2 expression, and that (δ-Toc)2S and (δ-Toc)2S2 are more effective than δ-Toc and α-Toc. The beneficial effects demonstrated were due to tocopherol antioxidant properties, but suppression of TNFα-induced Cl-2 expression seems not only to be related with antioxidant ability. Indeed, while ICAM-1 expression is strongly related to the intracellular redox state, Cl-2 expression is TNFα-up-regulated by both redox and non-redox dependent mechanisms. Since ICAM-1 and Cl-2 increase intestinal bowel diseases, and cause excessive recruitment of immune cells and alteration of the intestinal barrier, natural and, above all, semi-synthetic tocopherols may have a potential role as a therapeutic support against intestinal chronic inflammation, in which TNFα represents an important proinflammatory mediator.

scholarly journals Antioxidant Properties of Ergosterol and Its Role in Yeast Resistance to Oxidation

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1024
Author(s):  
Sebastien Dupont ◽  
Paul Fleurat-Lessard ◽  
Richtier Gonçalves Cruz ◽  
Céline Lafarge ◽  
Cédric Grangeteau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Study ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Tert Butyl Hydroperoxide ◽  
Resistance To Oxidation ◽  
Specific Accumulation ◽  
The Subject

Although the functions and structural roles of sterols have been the subject of numerous studies, the reasons for the diversity of sterols in the different eukaryotic kingdoms remain unclear. It is thought that the specificity of sterols is linked to unidentified supplementary functions that could enable organisms to be better adapted to their environment. Ergosterol is accumulated by late branching fungi that encounter oxidative perturbations in their interfacial habitats. Here, we investigated the antioxidant properties of ergosterol using in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches. The results showed that ergosterol is involved in yeast resistance to tert-butyl hydroperoxide and protects lipids against oxidation in liposomes. A computational study based on quantum chemistry revealed that this protection could be related to its antioxidant properties operating through an electron transfer followed by a proton transfer mechanism. This study demonstrates the antioxidant role of ergosterol and proposes knowledge elements to explain the specific accumulation of this sterol in late branching fungi. Ergosterol, as a natural antioxidant molecule, could also play a role in the incompletely understood beneficial effects of some mushrooms on health.

scholarly journals Elucidating the Beneficial Role of PPAR Agonists in Cardiac Diseases

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 3464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaza Khuchua ◽  
Aleksandr I. Glukhov ◽  
Arnold W. Strauss ◽  
Sabzali Javadov
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Acid Oxidation ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Ppar Agonists ◽  
Energy Deprivation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear hormone receptors that bind to DNA and regulate transcription of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. A growing number of studies provide strong evidence that PPARs are the promising pharmacological targets for therapeutic intervention in various diseases including cardiovascular disorders caused by compromised energy metabolism. PPAR agonists have been widely used for decades as lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory drugs. Existing studies are mainly focused on the anti-atherosclerotic effects of PPAR agonists; however, their role in the maintenance of cellular bioenergetics remains unclear. Recent studies on animal models and patients suggest that PPAR agonists can normalize lipid metabolism by stimulating fatty acid oxidation. These studies indicate the importance of elucidation of PPAR agonists as potential pharmacological agents for protection of the heart from energy deprivation. Here, we summarize and provide a comprehensive analysis of previous studies on the role of PPARs in the heart under normal and pathological conditions. In addition, the review discusses the PPARs as a therapeutic target and the beneficial effects of PPAR agonists, particularly bezafibrate, to attenuate cardiomyopathy and heart failure in patients and animal models.

scholarly journals The Role of Animal Models in Evaluating Reasonable Safety and Efficacy for Human Trials of Cell-Based Interventions for Neurologic Conditions

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Regenberg ◽  
Debra JH Mathews ◽  
David M Blass ◽  
Hilary Bok ◽  
Joseph T Coyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Proper Role ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Gathering Data

Progress in regenerative medicine seems likely to produce new treatments for neurologic conditions that use human cells as therapeutic agents; at least one trial for such an intervention is already under way. The development of cell-based interventions for neurologic conditions (CBI-NCs) will likely include preclinical studies using animals as models for humans with conditions of interest. This paper explores predictive validity challenges and the proper role for animal models in developing CBI-NCs. In spite of limitations, animal models are and will remain an essential tool for gathering data in advance of first-in-human clinical trials. The goal of this paper is to provide a realistic lens for viewing the role of animal models in the context of CBI-NCs and to provide recommendations for moving forward through this challenging terrain.

scholarly journals Dietary Melatonin Supplementation Could Be a Promising Preventing/Therapeutic Approach for a Variety of Liver Diseases

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonomini ◽  
Elisa Borsani ◽  
Gaia Favero ◽  
Luigi Rodella ◽  
Rita Rezzani
Keyword(s):  
Liver Diseases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

In the therapeutic strategies, the role of diet is a well-established factor that can also have an important role in liver diseases. Melatonin, identified in animals, has many antioxidant properties and it was after discovered also in plants, named phytomelatonin. These substances have a positive effect during aging and in pathological conditions too. In particular, it is important to underline that the amount of melatonin produced by pineal gland in human decreases during lifetime and its reduction in blood could be related to pathological conditions in which mitochondria and oxidative stress play a pivotal role. Moreover, it has been indicated that melatonin/phytomelatonin containing foods may provide dietary melatonin, so their ingestion through balanced diets could be sufficient to confer health benefits. In this review, the classification of liver diseases and an overview of the most important aspects of melatonin/phytomelatonin, concerning the differences among their synthesis, their presence in foods and their role in health and diseases, are summarized. The findings suggest that melatonin/phytomelatonin supplementation with diet should be considered important in preventing different disease settings, in particular in liver. Currently, more studies are needed to strengthen the potential beneficial effects of melatonin/phytomelatonin in liver diseases and to better clarify the molecular mechanisms of action.

scholarly journals Viewpoint: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potential of Neurohormetic Phytochemicals

Dose-Response ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. dose-response.0 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark. P. Mattson ◽  
Tae Gen Son ◽  
Simonetta Camandola
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Antioxidant Response ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Cellular Stress Response ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits

The nervous system is of fundamental importance in the adaptive (hormesis) responses of organisms to all types of stress, including environmental “toxins”. Phytochemicals present in vegetables and fruits are believed to reduce the risk of several major diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Although antioxidant properties have been suggested as the basis of health benefits of phytochemicals, emerging findings suggest a quite different mechanism of action. Many phytochemicals normally function as toxins that protect the plants against insects and other damaging organisms. However, at the relatively low doses consumed by humans and other mammals these same “toxic” phytochemicals activate adaptive cellular stress response pathways that can protect the cells against a variety of adverse conditions. Recent findings have elucidated hormetic mechanisms of action of phytochemicals (e.g., resveratrol, curcumin, sulforaphanes and catechins) using cell culture and animal models of neurological disorders. Examples of hormesis pathways activated by phytochemicals include the transcription factor Nrf-2 which activates genes controlled by the antioxidant response element, and histone deacetylases of the sirtuin family and FOXO transcription factors. Such hormetic pathways stimulate the production of antioxidant enzymes, protein chaperones and neurotrophic factors. In several cases neurohormetic phytochemicals have been shown to suppress the disease process in animal models relevant to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseaess, and can also improve outcome following a stroke. We are currently screening a panel of biopesticides in order to establish hormetic doses, neuroprotective efficacy, mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential as dietary supplements.

scholarly journals The Potential of Lisosan G as a Possible Treatment for Glaucoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Amato ◽  
Maria Grazia Rossino ◽  
Maurizio Cammalleri ◽  
Anna Maria Timperio ◽  
Giuseppina Fanelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Nutritional Supplement ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Blood Retinal Barrier ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Temporal Profiles ◽  
Retinal Pathologies

Lisosan G (LG), a fermented powder obtained from whole grains, is a nutritional supplement containing a variety of metabolites with documented antioxidant properties. We have recently demonstrated that orally administered LG protects diabetic rodent retinas from oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, blood-retinal barrier disruption, and functional damage. Here, we investigated whether LG may exert protective effects in a model of glaucoma and measured the amounts of selected LG components that reach the retina after oral LG administration. Six-month-old DBA/2J mice were given an aqueous LG solution in place of drinking water for 2 mo. During the 2 mo of treatment with LG, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored and the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) functional activity was recorded with pattern-electroretinography (PERG). At the end of the 2-mo period, the expression of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers was measured with qPCR, and RGC survival or macroglial activation were assessed with immunofluorescence. Alternatively, LG was administered by gavage and the concentrations of four of the main LG components (nicotinamide, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and quercetin) were measured in the retinas in the following 24 h using mass spectrometry. LG treatment in DBA/2J mice did not influence IOP, but it affected RGC function since PERG amplitude was increased and PERG latency was decreased with respect to untreated DBA/2J mice. This improvement of RGC function was concomitant with a significant decrease of both oxidative stress and inflammation marker expression, of RGC loss, and of macroglial activation. All four LG metabolites were found in the retina, although with different proportions with respect to the amount in the dose of administered LG, and with different temporal profiles in the 24 h following administration. These findings are consistent with neuroenhancing and neuroprotective effects of LG in glaucoma that are likely to derive from its powerful antioxidant properties. The co-occurrence of different metabolites in LG may provide an added value to their beneficial effects and indicate LG as a basis for the potential treatment of a variety of retinal pathologies.

scholarly journals Knowing Your Beans in Parkinson’s Disease: A Critical Assessment of Current Knowledge about Different Beans and Their Compounds in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and in Animal Models

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Rijntjes
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Natural Therapy ◽  
Bioactive Ingredients

This review contains a critical appraisal of current knowledge about the use of beans in both animal models and patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The potential beneficial effects of beans in PD are increasingly being touted, not only in scientific journals but also by the lay media. While there is a long tradition in Ayurvedic medicine of prescribing extracts from Mucuna pruriens (MP), whose seeds contain 5% L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (L-DOPA), many other beans also contain L-DOPA (broad beans, common beans, and soybeans) or have other ingredients (coffee and cocoa) that may benefit PD patients. Indeed, bean-derived compounds can elicit neuroprotective effects in animal models of PD, while several studies in human PD patients have shown that motor performance can improve after ingestion of bean extracts. However, there are several arguments countering the view that beans serve as a natural therapy for PD: (i) the results from animal PD models are not necessarily directly applicable to humans; (ii) beans have many bioactive ingredients, some of which can be harmful in large doses; (iii) studies in human PD patients are scarce and only report on the effects of single doses or the administration of bean extract over short periods of time; and (iv) no data on long-term efficacy or side effects of bean therapy are available. Therefore, reservations about the use of beans as a “natural” therapy for PD seem to be justified.

Whole Food–Based Approaches to Modulating Gut Microbiota and Associated Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhui Han ◽  
Hang Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Associated Diseases ◽  
Associated Functions ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Whole Foods

Intake of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may confer health benefits to the host. The beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables were mainly attributed to their richness in polyphenols and microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs). Components in fruits and vegetables modulate composition and associated functions of the gut microbiota, whereas gut microbiota can transform components in fruits and vegetables to produce metabolites that are bioactive and important for health. The progression of multiple diseases, such as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease, is associated with diet and gut microbiota. Although the exact causality between these diseases and specific members of gut microbiota has not been well characterized, accumulating evidence supported the role of fruits and vegetables in modulating gut microbiota and decreasing the risks of microbiota-associated diseases. This review summarizes the latest findings on the effects of whole fruits and vegetables on gut microbiota and associated diseases.

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