scholarly journals Nutraceutical and Medicinal Potential of the Morus Species in Metabolic Dysfunctions

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisana Rodrigues ◽  
Gabriela Marcelino ◽  
Gabriela Silva ◽  
Priscila Figueiredo ◽  
Walmir Garcez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Morus Alba ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Phytochemical Compounds ◽  
White Mulberry ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunctions

Many populations use medicinal plants as a therapeutic treatment, due to their lower cost and greater access. Among the plant species used for medicinal purposes are those of the genus Morus. The most known species are Morus alba, rubra, and nigra. This review aims to collect data from the literature, predominantly from cell and animal studies, which presents a possible nutraceutical and medicinal potential of the species Morus for use in metabolic dysfunctions. The fruits and leaves of mulberry are used for therapeutic purposes. For scientific confirmation of these effects, they were studied for laxative properties, antibacterial activity, anti-atherogenic activity, and hepatoprotective function. Furthermore, the genus Morus is recognized for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, through its hypoglycemic action. It may also provide health benefits through immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive effects. It has been found that the Morus species have phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that act as important antioxidants and promote beneficial effects on human health. These phytochemical compounds differ among species. Blackberry (Morus nigra) are rich in flavonoids, while the white mulberry (Morus alba) has low concentrations of flavonoids and anthocyanins. In addition, another important factor is to ensure a complete exemption of toxic risks in the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown no toxic effects by the administration of extracts of Morus species. Thus, the mulberry tree presents nutraceutical potential. It is therefore a promising alternative for medicinal products based on medicinal plants.

scholarly journals The Effects of Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Natural Compounds on Homocysteine

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3081
Author(s):  
Mohammad Amin Atazadegan ◽  
Mohammad Bagherniya ◽  
Gholamreza Askari ◽  
Aida Tasbandi ◽  
Amirhossein Sahebkar
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Vascular Endothelium ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Serum Homocysteine ◽  
Prevention And Treatment

Background: Among non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in global communities. By 2030, CVD-related deaths are projected to reach a global rise of 25 million. Obesity, smoking, alcohol, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and hyperhomocysteinemia are several known risk factors for CVDs. Elevated homocysteine is tightly related to CVDs through multiple mechanisms, including inflammation of the vascular endothelium. The strategies for appropriate management of CVDs are constantly evolving; medicinal plants have received remarkable attention in recent researches, since these natural products have promising effects on the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. The effects of nutraceuticals and herbal products on CVD/dyslipidemia have been previously studied. However, to our knowledge, the association between herbal bioactive compounds and homocysteine has not been reviewed in details. Thus, the main objective of this study is to review the efficacy of bioactive natural compounds on homocysteine levels according to clinical trials and animal studies. Results: Based on animal studies, black and green tea, cinnamon, resveratrol, curcumin, garlic extract, ginger, and soy significantly reduced the homocysteine levels. According to the clinical trials, curcumin and resveratrol showed favorable effects on serum homocysteine. In conclusion, this review highlighted the beneficial effects of medicinal plants as natural, inexpensive, and accessible agents on homocysteine levels based on animal studies. Nevertheless, the results of the clinical trials were not uniform, suggesting that more well-designed trials are warranted.

scholarly journals Metabolic and Epigenetics Action Mechanisms of Antiobesity Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Bashar Saad ◽  
Bilal Ghareeb ◽  
Abdalsalam Kmail
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Action Mechanisms ◽  
Antiobesity Drugs ◽  
Adipocyte Development ◽  
Therapeutic Perspective

Ever-growing research efforts are demonstrating the potential of medicinal plants and their phytochemicals to prevent and manage obesity, either individually or synergistically. Multiple combinations of phytochemicals can result in a synergistic activity that increases their beneficial effects at molecular, cellular, metabolic, and temporal levels, offering advantages over chemically synthesized drug-based treatments. Herbs and their derived compounds have the potential for controlling appetite, inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity, stimulating thermogenesis and lipid metabolism, increasing satiety, promoting lipolysis, regulating adipogenesis, and inducing apoptosis in adipocytes. Furthermore, targeting adipocyte life cycle using various dietary bioactives that affect different stages of adipocyte life cycle represents also an important target in the development of new antiobesity drugs. In this regard, different stages of adipocyte development that are targeted by antiobesity drugs can include preadipocytes, maturing preadipocytes, and mature adipocytes. Various herbal-derived active compounds, such as capsaicin, genistein, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, docosahexaenoic acid, quercetin, resveratrol, and ajoene, affect adipocytes during specific stages of development, resulting in either inhibition of adipogenesis or induction of apoptosis. Although numerous molecular targets that can be used for both treatment and prevention of obesity have been identified, targeted single cellular receptor or pathway has resulted in limited success. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art knowledge about antiobesity medicinal plants and their active compounds and their effects on several cellular, molecular, and metabolic pathways simultaneously with multiple phytochemicals through synergistic functioning which might be an appropriate approach to better management of obesity. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms (acetylation, methylation, miRNAs, ubiquitylation, phosphorylation, and chromatin packaging) of phytochemicals and their preventive and therapeutic perspective are explored in this review.

Phytotherapy and Herbal Medicines for Kidney Stones

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30
Author(s):  
Esteban Emiliani ◽  
Adrian Jara ◽  
Andres Koey Kanashiro
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Calcium Oxalate ◽  
Kidney Stones ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Phyllanthus Niruri ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Uric Acid Stones

Background: Kidney stones are one of the oldest known and common diseases in the urinary tract with a prevalence that varies from 1% to 20%. Many phytotherapic and herbal medicines for kidney stones have been described for their treatment and prevention. Objective: The objective of this study is to perform a comprehensive review of several phytotherapic and herbal medicines published including clinical and animal studies. Results: Phytotherapy may influence the risk of recurrence in calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. The most solid evidence suggest that Phyllanthus niruri is one of the most studied components that appear to interfere with the calcium oxalate crystallization, reduced hyperoxaluria and hiperuricosuria and increased shock wave lithotripsy efficacy due to reduced crystallization without significant adverse effects, also Theobromine have shown to reduce the crystallization of uric acid in patients and appears to be a promising supplement to treat such stones. Conclusion: Many phytoterapic and herbal agents have been studies to treat and present urolithiasis, most of them only with studies of small number of patients or in animal models. Further randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effect of these agents in kidney stones.

An Overview on Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Morus alba Linn.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpita Paul ◽  
Monami Rajiung ◽  
Kamaruz Zaman ◽  
Sushil Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
Hans Raj Bhat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Morus Alba ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Pharmacological Profile ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
The Past ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
The Family ◽  
White Mulberry

Background: Morus alba Linn. commonly known as white mulberry, belongs to the family Moraceae, is a promising traditional medicine. In Asia, besides its use in the preparation of delicacies, every part of this plant is utilized in traditional medicine. Over the past decade, studies related to identification and isolation of biologically active compounds, with flavonoids as the major class of phytoconstituents, from this plant has been reported. These phytoconstituents are not only found to be beneficial for the maintenance of general health but also are associated with a range of potential pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective to name a few. Objective: This review aims to provide upgraded and comprehensive information regarding the phytochemical, ethnomedicinal use and pharmacological profile of the plant Morus alba Linn. Method: The significant information has been collected through various database viz. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct based on the recent findings, using different terms of Morus alba. Results: The outcome of the study suggests that Morus alba is a multifunctional plant numerous phytochemicals, and possess a range of pharmacological activities. Conclusion: The data assembled on Morus alba will be beneficial to trigger research in various fields of pharmaceutical and allied science to explore the medicinal importance of this unique plant.

scholarly journals Strawberry and Achenes Hydroalcoholic Extracts and Their Digested Fractions Efficiently Counteract the AAPH-Induced Oxidative Damage in HepG2 Cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2180 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Ariza ◽  
Tamara Forbes-Hernández ◽  
Patricia Reboredo-Rodríguez ◽  
Sadia Afrin ◽  
Massimiliano Gasparrini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Oxidative Damage ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
In Vitro Digestion ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Digestion Process ◽  
Phytochemical Compounds

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.

scholarly journals Tea Polyphenols in Promotion of Human Health

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naghma Khan ◽  
Hasan Mukhtar
Keyword(s):  
Green Tea ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Black Tea ◽  
Polyphenolic Compounds ◽  
Tea Polyphenols ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Gallocatechin Gallate ◽  
Prevention Of Cancer ◽  
Pharmacologically Active

Tea is the most widely used beverage worldwide. Japanese and Chinese people have been drinking tea for centuries and in Asia, it is the most consumed beverage besides water. It is a rich source of pharmacologically active molecules which have been implicated to provide diverse health benefits. The three major forms of tea are green, black and oolong tea based on the degree of fermentation. The composition of tea differs with the species, season, leaves, climate, and horticultural practices. Polyphenols are the major active compounds present in teas. The catechins are the major polyphenolic compounds in green tea, which include epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate and epicatechin, gallocatechins and gallocatechin gallate. EGCG is the predominant and most studied catechin in green tea. There are numerous evidences from cell culture and animal studies that tea polyphenols have beneficial effects against several pathological diseases including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The polyphenolic compounds present in black tea include theaflavins and thearubigins. In this review article, we will summarize recent studies documenting the role of tea polyphenols in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Structures, bioactivities and future prospective of polysaccharides from Morus alba (white mulberry): A review

2018 ◽  
Vol 245 ◽  
pp. 899-910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xirui He ◽  
Jiacheng Fang ◽  
Yinlan Ruan ◽  
Xiaoxiao Wang ◽  
Yin Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morus Alba ◽  
White Mulberry

scholarly journals Type 1 Diabetic Neuropathy and C-peptide

2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders A. F. Sima ◽  
Weixian Zhang ◽  
George Grunberger
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Diabetic Complication ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
C Peptide ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Regulatory Effects

The most common microvascular diabetic complication, diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy (DPN), affects type 1 diabetic patients more often and more severely. In recent decades, it has become increasingly clear that perpetuating pathogenetic mechanisms, molecular, functional, and structural changes and ultimately the clinical expression of DPN differ between the two major types of diabetes. Impaired insulin/C-peptide action has emerged as a crucial factor to account for the disproportionate burden affecting type 1 patients. C-peptide was long believed to be biologically inactive. However, it has now been shown to have a number of insulin-like glucoseindependent effects. Preclinical studies have demonstrated dose-dependent effects onNa+,K+-ATPase activity, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and endoneurial blood flow. Furthermore, it has regulatory effects on neurotrophic factors and molecules pivotal to the integrity of the nodal and paranodal apparatus and modulatory effects on apoptotic phenomena affecting the diabetic nervous system. In animal studies, C-peptide improves nerve conduction abnormalities, prevents nodal degenerative changes, characteristic of type 1 DPN, promotes nerve fiber regeneration, and prevents apoptosis of central and peripheral nerve cell constituents. Limited clinical trials have confirmed the beneficial effects of C-peptide on autonomic and somatic nerve function in patients with type 1 DPN. Therefore, evidence accumulates that replacement of C-peptide in type 1 diabetes prevents and even improves DPN. Large-scale food and drug administration (FDA)-approved clinical trials are necessary to make this natural substance available to the globally increasing type 1 diabetic population.

scholarly journals Anti-Obesity Effects of Combined Cornus officinalis and Ribes fasciculatum Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Male Mice

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3187
Author(s):  
Eunkuk Park ◽  
Chang-Gun Lee ◽  
Hyoju Jeon ◽  
Hyesoo Jeong ◽  
Subin Yeo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Insulin Action ◽  
Normal Diet ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Impaired Glucose Metabolism ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cornus Officinalis ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Obese Male

Medicinal plants are widely used as supplements for the treatment of various diseases because of their few side-effects. Here, we examined the anti-obesity effects of a mixture extract of Cornus officinalis and Ribes fasciculatum (CR) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese male mice. Four week old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or 60% high-fat diet (HFD) with different concentrations of CR extracts (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day) by oral administration for 12 weeks. CR extract administration prevented HFD-induced weight gain, hepatic steatosis, and adipocyte enlargement through the downregulation of adipogenesis-associated genes in obese male mice. In addition, CR administration improved the impaired glucose metabolism, insulin action, biochemical obesity parameters, and metabolic profiles in HFD-induced male mice. Consequently, the CR extract exhibited beneficial effects on HFD-induced systemic metabolic challenges. Taken together, our findings suggest that CR extract may be a potent therapeutic supplement for the treatment and prevention of obesity.

scholarly journals An Overview of the Various Uses of Ephedra distachyaL. from the Past to the Present

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-86
Author(s):  
Mansureh Ghavam ◽  
Zeinab Soleimaninejad
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Traditional Medicines ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Ephedra Distachya ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Review Study

Background: Nowadays, many people believe in traditional medicines and use them for different diseases. Knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional medicine has been practiced for centuries through trial and error, and many important treatments for the disease have been passed down from one generation to the next. Ephedra is a valuable plant and has been used to treat diseases since ancient times. Accordingly, this study aims to comprehensively introduce Ephedra distachya L. in traditional medicine. Methods: In this review study, databases such as Google Scholar, SID, Scopus, and books on medicinal plants in Persian and English languages were searched to collect data. The keywords included "ephedra", "traditional medicine", "goat’s beard", and "medicinal plants". Results: Many resources highlighted the importance of using ephedra due to its useful properties. Experimental studies in traditional medicine show the effect of this plant in the prevention of diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis. Conclusion: Considering the beneficial effects of ephedra and scientific evidence about its effects, further studies are needed to better understand the use of this plant in traditional medicine.

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