scholarly journals Cocoa Flavanols: Natural Agents with Attenuating Effects on Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Jaramillo Flores
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Secondary Plant Metabolites

The interest in cacao flavanols is still growing, as bioactive compounds with potential benefits in the prevention of chronic diseases associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic disorders. Several analytical methodologies support that the flavanols in cacao-derived products can be absorbed, have bioactive properties, and thus can be responsible for their beneficial effects on human health. However, it must be considered that their biological actions and underlying molecular mechanisms will depend on the concentrations achieved in their target tissues. Based on the antioxidant properties of cacao flavanols, this review focuses on recent advances in research regarding their potential to improve metabolic syndrome risk factors. Additionally, it has included other secondary plant metabolites that have been investigated for their protective effects against metabolic syndrome. Studies using laboratory animals or human subjects represent strong available evidence for biological effects of cacao flavanols. Nevertheless, in vitro studies are also included to provide an overview of these phytochemical mechanisms of action. Further studies are needed to determine if the main cacao flavanols or their metabolites are responsible for the observed health benefits and which are their precise molecular mechanisms.

scholarly journals Onco-Preventive and Chemo-Protective Effects of Apple Bioactive Compounds

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4025
Author(s):  
Linda Nezbedova ◽  
Tony McGhie ◽  
Mark Christensen ◽  
Julian Heyes ◽  
Noha Ahmed Nasef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Hallmarks Of Cancer ◽  
Secondary Plant Metabolites

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Epidemiological studies have strongly linked a diet high in fruits to a lower incidence of cancer. Furthermore, extensive research shows that secondary plant metabolites known as phytochemicals, which are commonly found in fruits, have onco-preventive and chemo-protective effects. Apple is a commonly consumed fruit worldwide that is available all year round and is a rich source of phytochemicals. In this review, we summarize the association of apple consumption with cancer incidence based on findings from epidemiological and cohort studies. We further provide a comprehensive review of the main phytochemical patterns observed in apples and their bioavailability after consumption. Finally, we report on the latest findings from in vitro and in vivo studies highlighting some of the key molecular mechanisms targeted by apple phytochemicals in relation to inhibiting multiple ‘hallmarks of cancer’ that are important in the progression of cancer.

scholarly journals Protective Effects of Osthole against Free Radical-Induced Hemolysis of Erythrocytes

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-62
Author(s):  
Soroush Rashidpour ◽  
Fatemeh Zahedipour ◽  
Gholamreza Karimi ◽  
Khadijeh Jamialahmadi
Keyword(s):  
Free Radical ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Protein Carbonyl ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Active Components ◽  
Vitro Model

Background: Osthole, one of the most active components of Cnidium monnieri, has different pharmacological and biological effects such as boosting the immune system, reducing rheumatoid pain, hepatoprotective, and inhibitory effect on osteoporosis. Furthermore, it showed anti inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. However, there is little information about the antioxidant effects of osthole using cell-based assays. In the current work, we used in vitro model of 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes to investigate the protective effects of osthole against oxidative damage of biological membranes. Methods: Erythrocytes were challenged with 2, 2ꞌ-azobis (2-aminopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) as a model oxidant in the presence and absence of osthole. The protective effects of osthole on lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl oxidation, glutathione (GSH) content of erythrocytes were evaluated and compared with control samples. Results: It was found that osthole has protective effects on erythrocyte hemolysis induced by AAPH at different concentrations in a time-dependent manner. Osthole also suppressed lipid and protein oxidation as well as reductions in GSH content in a concentration and timedependent manner. Conclusion: Osthole showed protective effects against free radical-induced hemolysis in rat erythrocytes. Therefore, it can be considered as a supplement for the prevention or treatment of a variety of human health problems associated with oxidative stress. However, further investigations are required to illustrate other possible impacts of osthole on cells.

scholarly journals The Bioprotective Effects of Polyphenols on Metabolic Syndrome against Oxidative Stress: Evidences and Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kui Liu ◽  
Miao Luo ◽  
Shuang Wei
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Polyphenolic Compounds ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Dietary Polyphenols ◽  
Oxygen Scavenging ◽  
Obesity Hypertension

Polyphenols are the general designation of various kinds of phytochemicals, mainly classified as flavonoids and nonflavonoids. Polyphenolic compounds have been confirmed to exhibit numerous bioactivities and potential health benefits both in vivo and in vitro. Dietary polyphenols have been shown to significantly alleviate several manifestations of metabolic syndrome, namely, central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and high blood sugar. This review is aimed at discussing the bioprotective effects and related molecular mechanisms of polyphenols, mainly by increasing antioxidant capacity or oxygen scavenging capacity. Polyphenols can exert their antioxidative activity by balancing the organic oxidoreductase enzyme system, regulating antioxidant responsive signaling pathways, and restoring mitochondrial function. These data are helpful for providing new insights into the potential biological effects of polyphenolic compounds and the development of future antioxidant therapeutics.

scholarly journals Multiple Biological Effects of an Iridoid Glucoside, Catalpol, and Its Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subrat Kumar Bhattamisra ◽  
Kah Heng Yap ◽  
Vikram Rao ◽  
Hira Choudhury
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Rehmannia Glutinosa ◽  
Iridoid Glucoside ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Catalpol, an iridoid glucoside, is widely distributed in many plant families and is primarily obtained from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. Rehmannia glutinosa is a plant very commonly used in Chinese and Korean traditional medicine for various disorders, including diabetes mellitus, neuronal disorders, and inflammation. Catalpol has been studied extensively for its biological properties both in vitro and in vivo. This review aims to appraise the biological effects of catalpol and their underlying mechanisms. An extensive literature search was conducted using the keyword “Catalpol” in the public domains of Google scholar, PubMed, and Scifinder. Catalpol exhibits anti-diabetic, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects in experimental studies. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are mostly related for its biological effect. However, some specific mechanisms are also elucidated. Elevated serotonin and BDNF level by catalpol significantly protect against depression and neurodegeneration. Catalpol demonstrated an increased mitochondrial biogenesis and activation of PI3K/Akt pathway for insulin sensitizing effect. Further, its cardiovascular protective effect was linked to PI3K/Akt, apelin/APJ and Jak-Stat pathway. Catalpol produced a significant reduction in cell proliferation and an increase in apoptosis in different cancer conditions. Overall, catalpol demonstrated multiple biological effects due to its numerous mechanisms including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Content and Hematoprotective Effects of Cleome arabica Polyphenolic Leaf Extract

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Tigrine ◽  
A. Kameli
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Reducing Power ◽  
Hematological Toxicity ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Ferrous Ions ◽  
Polyphenolic Extract ◽  
Cleome Arabica

In this study a polyphenolic extract from Cleome arabica leaves (CALE) was investigated for its antioxidant activity in vitro using DPPH•, metal chelating and reducing power methods and for its protective effects against AraC-induced hematological toxicity in vivo using Balb C mice. Results indicated that CALE exhibited a strong and dose-dependent scavenging activity against the DPPH• free radical (IC50 = 4.88 μg/ml) and a high reducing power activity (EC50 = 4.85 μg/ml). Furthermore, it showed a good chelating effects against ferrous ions (IC50 = 377.75 μg/ml). The analysis of blood showed that subcutaneous injection of AraC (50 mg/kg) to mice during three consecutive days caused a significant myelosupression (P < 0.05). The combination of CALE and AraC protected blood cells from a veritable toxicity. Where, the number of the red cells, the amount of hemoglobin and the percentage of the hematocrite were significantly high. On the other hand, AraC cause an elevation of body temperature (39 °C) in mice. However, the temperature of the group treated with CALE and AraC remained normal and did not exceed 37.5 °C. The observed biological effects of CALE, in vitro as well as in vivo, could be due to the high polyphenol and flavonoid contents. In addition, the antioxidant activity of CALE suggested to be responsible for its hematoprotective effect.

scholarly journals Investigating Molecular Mechanisms of Immunotoxicity and the Utility of ToxCast for Immunotoxicity Screening of Chemicals Added to Food

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3332
Author(s):  
Olga V. Naidenko ◽  
David Q. Andrews ◽  
Alexis M. Temkin ◽  
Tasha Stoiber ◽  
Uloma Igara Uche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Toxicological Studies

The development of high-throughput screening methodologies may decrease the need for laboratory animals for toxicity testing. Here, we investigate the potential of assessing immunotoxicity with high-throughput screening data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ToxCast program. As case studies, we analyzed the most common chemicals added to food as well as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) shown to migrate to food from packaging materials or processing equipment. The antioxidant preservative tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) showed activity both in ToxCast assays and in classical immunological assays, suggesting that it may affect the immune response in people. From the PFAS group, we identified eight substances that can migrate from food contact materials and have ToxCast data. In epidemiological and toxicological studies, PFAS suppress the immune system and decrease the response to vaccination. However, most PFAS show weak or no activity in immune-related ToxCast assays. This lack of concordance between toxicological and high-throughput data for common PFAS indicates the current limitations of in vitro screening for analyzing immunotoxicity. High-throughput in vitro assays show promise for providing mechanistic data relevant for immune risk assessment. In contrast, the lack of immune-specific activity in the existing high-throughput assays cannot validate the safety of a chemical for the immune system.

scholarly journals Crocetin Mitigates Irradiation Injury in an In Vitro Model of the Pubertal Testis: Focus on Biological Effects and Molecular Mechanisms

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1676
Author(s):  
Giulia Rossi ◽  
Martina Placidi ◽  
Chiara Castellini ◽  
Francesco Rea ◽  
Settimio D'Andrea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Adolescent Cancer ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Infertility is a potential side effect of radiotherapy and significantly affects the quality of life for adolescent cancer survivors. Very few studies have addressed in pubertal models the mechanistic events that could be targeted to provide protection from gonadotoxicity and data on potential radioprotective treatments in this peculiar period of life are elusive. In this study, we utilized an in vitro model of the mouse pubertal testis to investigate the efficacy of crocetin to counteract ionizing radiation (IR)-induced injury and potential underlying mechanisms. Present experiments provide evidence that exposure of testis fragments from pubertal mice to 2 Gy X-rays induced extensive structural and cellular damage associated with overexpression of PARP1, PCNA, SOD2 and HuR and decreased levels of SIRT1 and catalase. A twenty-four hr exposure to 50 μM crocetin pre- and post-IR significantly reduced testis injury and modulated the response to DNA damage and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, crocetin treatment did not counteract the radiation-induced changes in the expression of SIRT1, p62 and LC3II. These results increase the knowledge of mechanisms underlying radiation damage in pubertal testis and establish the use of crocetin as a fertoprotective agent against IR deleterious effects in pubertal period.

scholarly journals Isorhynchophylline Protects PC12 Cells Against Beta-Amyloid-Induced Apoptosis via PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Fang Xian ◽  
Zhi-Xiu Lin ◽  
Qing-Qiu Mao ◽  
Jian-Nan Chen ◽  
Zi-Ren Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Pc12 Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Phosphorylated Akt ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

The neurotoxicity of amyloid-β(Aβ) has been implicated as a critical cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Isorhynchophylline (IRN), an oxindole alkaloid isolated fromUncaria rhynchophylla,exerts neuroprotective effect againstAβ25–35-induced neurotoxicityin vitro. However, the exact mechanism for its neuroprotective effect is not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective action of IRN againstAβ25–35-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Pretreatment with IRN significantly increased the cell viability, inhibited the release of lactate dehydrogenase and the extent of DNA fragmentation inAβ25–35-treated cells. IRN treatment was able to enhance the protein levels of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β(p-GSK-3β). Lithium chloride blockedAβ25–35-induced cellular apoptosis in a similar manner as IRN, suggesting that GSK-3βinhibition was involved in neuroprotective action of IRN. Pretreatment with LY294002 completely abolished the protective effects of IRN. Furthermore, IRN reversedAβ25–35-induced attenuation in the level of phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element binding protein (p-CREB) and the effect of IRN could be blocked by the PI3K inhibitor. These experimental findings unambiguously suggested that the protective effect of IRN againstAβ25–35-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was associated with the enhancement of p-CREB expression via PI3K/Akt/GSK-3βsignaling pathway.

Plant polyphenols: free radical scavengers or chain-breaking antioxidants?

1995 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 103-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Rice-Evans
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Peroxyl Radicals ◽  
Free Radical Scavengers ◽  
Dietary Polyphenols ◽  
Chain Breaking ◽  
Lipid Peroxyl Radicals

There is increasing interest in the biological effects of tea- and wine-derived polyphenols and many studies in vitro and in vivo are demonstrating their antioxidant properties. Tea is a major source of dietary polyphenols and an even richer source of the flavanols, the catechins and catechin/gallate esters. Although there are limited studies on the bioavailability of the polyphenols, the absorption of flavanols in humans has been shown. The studies described in this chapter discuss the relative antioxidant potentials of the polyphenolic flavonoids in vitro against radicals generated in the aqueous phase in comparison with their relative effectiveness as antioxidants against propagating lipid peroxyl radicals, and how their activity influences that of α-tocopherol in low-density lipoproteins exposed to oxidative stress.

scholarly journals Hepatoprotection of Mentha aquatica L., Lavandula dentata L. and Leonurus cardiaca L.

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olívia R. Pereira ◽  
Rocio I. R. Macias ◽  
Maria R. M. Domingues ◽  
Jose J. G. Marin ◽  
Susana M. Cardoso
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Dichromate ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Ros Generation ◽  
Mentha Aquatica ◽  
Organic Cultivation ◽  
Chemical Models ◽  
Phenolic Components ◽  
Leonurus Cardiaca

The phenolic composition of hydroethanolic extracts of Mentha aquatica L., Lavandula dentata L. and Leonurus cardiaca L., obtained from plants grown under organic cultivation, was determined and their hepatoprotective effects were investigated in vitro. L. cardiaca extract was rich in phenylethenoid glycosides, especially lavandolifolioside (254 ± 36 μg/mg), whereas rosmarinic acid and eriodictyol-O-rutinoside were the major phenolic compounds of L. dentata and M. aquatica extracts, accounting for 68 ± 7 μg/mg and 145 ± 22 μg/mg, respectively. These differential phenolic components presumably account for their dissimilar antioxidant properties. While L. cardiaca extract showed moderate biological effects, M. aquatica extract displayed high antioxidant activity in chemical models, and that of L. dentata was effective in counteracting potassium dichromate-induced ROS generation in human hepatocarcinoma cells. Moreover, M. aquatica extract (50 μg/mL) and its mixture (50%/50%) with L. dentata extract displayed an effective cytoprotective effect.

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