scholarly journals Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum Ameliorate Liver Function by Reducing Diet-Induced Steatosis in Rats

Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Gabbia ◽  
Miriam Saponaro ◽  
Samantha Sarcognato ◽  
Maria Guido ◽  
Nicola Ferri ◽  
...  

The Asian coastal communities have used the brown seaweeds Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum since ancient times. Recently, some in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated their abilities in reducing risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Here, we analyzed the protective effect of a phytocomplex extracted from these seaweeds on the deposition of fat in the liver after the administration of a high-fat diet (HFD) to rats for five weeks. The administration of F. vesiculosus and A. nodosum led to significant reductions in microvescicular steatosis and plasma biochemical and lipid parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and conjugated bilirubin, and triglycerides. Furthermore, the postprandial glycemic peak was delayed and significantly reduced (p < 0.01) by the algal extract administration. In conclusion, this extract is effective in reducing microvescicular steatosis and improving glycemic control, thereby lowering the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and diabetes, diseases related to the consumption of fat and sugar-enriched diets.

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (20) ◽  
pp. 2208-2240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Svitina ◽  
Roan Swanepoel ◽  
Jacques Rossouw ◽  
Happiness Netshimbupfe ◽  
Chrisna Gouws ◽  
...  

The skin is the largest organ and functions as a barrier to protect the underlying tissues against the elements and pathogens, while also fulfilling many physiological roles and biochemical functions such as preventing excessive water loss. Skin disorders vary greatly in terms of origin, severity, symptoms and affect persons of all ages. Many plants have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times including the treatment of skin disorders and diseases. Aloe represents one of the earliest medicinal plant species mentioned in antique scriptures and even in rock art dating back thousands of years. Different Aloe species and materials have been used in the prevention and treatment of skin related disorders. Aloe vera is the most commonly used Aloe species for medicinal purposes. Some of the most prominent skin related applications and disorders that Aloe materials have been investigated for are discussed in this paper, which include cosmetic, radiation, cancer, wound and antimicrobial applications. Both in vitro and in vivo studies are included in the discussions of this paper and comprehensive summaries of all these studies are given in tables in each section. Although some contradictory results were obtained among studies, certain Aloe materials have shown excellent efficacy and exhibited potential for the treatment of skin related disorders and cosmetic applications.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 2046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Eugenia Ștefănescu ◽  
Katalin Szabo ◽  
Andrei Mocan ◽  
Gianina Crişan

Some species of the Ericaceae family have been intensively studied because of the beneficial health impact, known since ancient times, of their chemical components. Since most studies focus on the effects of fruit consumption, this review aims to highlight the phenolic components present in the leaves. For this purpose, five species from Ericaceae family (bilberry—Vaccinium myrtillus L., lingonberry—V. vitis-idaea L., bog bilberry—V. uliginosum L., blueberry—V. corymbosum L. and bearberry—Arctostapylos uva-ursi L.) were considered, four of which can be found in spontaneous flora. The chemical composition of the leaves revealed three major phenolic compounds: chlorogenic acid, quercetin and arbutin. The health promoting functions of these compounds, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could have preventive effects for cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and obesity, have been exemplified by both in vitro and in vivo studies in this review. Furthermore, the importance of bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the phenolic compounds have been summarized. The findings highlight the fact that leaves of some Ericaceae species deserve increased attention and should be studied more profoundly for their biological activities, especially those from spontaneous flora.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Gabbia ◽  
Stefano Dall’Acqua ◽  
Iole Di Gangi ◽  
Sara Bogialli ◽  
Valentina Caputi ◽  
...  

Marine Drugs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonçalo P. Rosa ◽  
Wilson R. Tavares ◽  
Pedro M. C. Sousa ◽  
Aida K. Pagès ◽  
Ana M. L. Seca ◽  
...  

Macroalgae are increasingly viewed as a source of secondary metabolites with great potential for the development of new drugs. In this development, in vitro studies are only the first step in a long process, while in vivo studies and clinical trials are the most revealing stages of the true potential and limitations that a given metabolite may have as a new drug. This literature review aims to give a critical overview of the secondary metabolites that reveal the most interesting results in these two steps. Phlorotannins show great pharmaceutical potential in in vivo models and, among the several examples, the anti-dyslipidemia activity of dieckol must be highlighted because it was more effective than lovastatin in an in vivo model. The IRLIIVLMPILMA tridecapeptide that exhibits an in vivo level of activity similar to the hypotensive clinical drug captopril should still be stressed, as well as griffithsin which showed such stunning results over a variety of animal models and which will probably move onto clinical trials soon. Regarding clinical trials, studies with pure algal metabolites are scarce, limited to those carried out with kahalalide F and fucoxanthin. The majority of clinical trials currently aim to ascertain the effect of algae consumption, as extracts or fractions, on obesity and diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Antoniak ◽  
Marlena Dudek-Makuch ◽  
Wiesława Bylka

Licorice has been used in medicine from ancient times. Licorice preparations are applied in infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, peptic and duodenal ulcers, as well as in skin diseases and cosmetology. Sweet taste of root has appointed licorice role of corrigens. Licorice root contains active compounds with different activities: saponins, flavonoids, coumarins and essential oil. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that extracts of licorice and its active compounds have different properties, such as expectorant, antitussive, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective.


2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 645-651
Author(s):  
M. Peeva ◽  
M. Shopova ◽  
U. Michelsen ◽  
D. Wöhrle ◽  
G. Petrov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S198-S198
Author(s):  
Joseph R Meno ◽  
Thien-son K Nguyen ◽  
Elise M Jensen ◽  
G Alexander West ◽  
Leonid Groysman ◽  
...  

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (06) ◽  
pp. 942-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Landolfi ◽  
Erica De Candia ◽  
Bianca Rocca ◽  
Giovanni Ciabattoni ◽  
Armando Antinori ◽  
...  

SummarySeveral “in vitro” and “in vivo” studies indicate that heparin administration may affect platelet function. In this study we investigated the effects of prophylactic heparin on thromboxane (Tx)A2 biosynthesis “in vivo”, as assessed by the urinary excretion of major enzymatic metabolites 11-dehydro-TxB2 and 2,3-dinor-TxB2. Twenty-four patients who were candidates for cholecystectomy because of uncomplicated lithiasis were randomly assigned to receive placebo, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin or unfractionaed heparin plus 100 mg aspirin. Measurements of daily excretion of Tx metabolites were performed before and during the treatment. In the groups assigned to placebo and to low molecular weight heparin there was no statistically significant modification of Tx metabolite excretion while patients receiving unfractionated heparin had a significant increase of both metabolites (11-dehydro-TxB2: 3844 ± 1388 vs 2092 ±777, p <0.05; 2,3-dinor-TxB2: 2737 ± 808 vs 1535 ± 771 pg/mg creatinine, p <0.05). In patients randomized to receive low-dose aspirin plus unfractionated heparin the excretion of the two metabolites was largely suppressed thus suggesting that platelets are the primary source of enhanced thromboxane biosynthesis associated with heparin administration. These data indicate that unfractionated heparin causes platelet activation “in vivo” and suggest that the use of low molecular weight heparin may avoid this complication.


2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Fadin ◽  
Maria C. Nicoletti ◽  
Marzia Pellizzato ◽  
Manuela Accardi ◽  
Maria G. Baietti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document