scholarly journals Chemical Composition, Bioactivity and Safety Aspects of Kuding Tea—From Beverage to Herbal Extract

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2796
Author(s):  
Svenja Wüpper ◽  
Kai Lüersen ◽  
Gerald Rimbach
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Herbal Extract ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Glucose Lowering ◽  
Representative Species ◽  
Physiological Relevance

Kuding tea (KT) is a bitter-tasting herbal tea that has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The large-leaved Ku-Ding-Cha (Aquifoliaceae) is composed of its representative species Ilex latifolia Thunb and Ilex kudingcha C.J. Tseng. Because of its potential lipid-lowering, body weight-reducing and blood-glucose-lowering properties, KT has increasingly been recognised for its importance over the past several decades. KT is no longer used only as a beverage, and various extraction methods have been applied to obtain aqueous and ethanolic KT extracts (KTE) or their fractions, which could potentially be used as dietary supplements. The major bioactive components of KT are triterpene saponins and polyphenols, but the composition of KT differs substantially between and among the different KT species. This in turn might affect the physiological effects of KT. KT exhibits antiobesity properties, possibly partly by affecting the intestinal microbiota. In addition, KT may mediate putative antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. However, there is evidence that high KTE supplementation can adversely affect liver metabolism. The physiological relevance of KT in humans remains rather unclear since the potential health benefits of KT and its constituents reviewed here are mainly derived on the basis of in vitro and animal studies.

scholarly journals Potential Health Benefit of Garlic Based on Human Intervention Studies: A Brief Overview

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johura Ansary ◽  
Tamara Yuliett Forbes-Hernández ◽  
Emilio Gil ◽  
Danila Cianciosi ◽  
Jiaojiao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Garlic Extract ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Bioactive Constituents ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Common Diseases

Garlic is a polyphenolic and organosulfur enriched nutraceutical spice consumed since ancient times. Garlic and its secondary metabolites have shown excellent health-promoting and disease-preventing effects on many human common diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, blood pressure, and diabetes, through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties, as demonstrated in several in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the consumption of garlic, garlic preparation, garlic extract, and garlic extract-derived bioactive constituents on oxidative stress, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, skin, bone, and other common diseases. Among the 83 human interventional trials considered, the consumption of garlic has been reported to modulate multiple biomarkers of different diseases; in addition, its combination with drugs or other food matrices has been shown to be safe and to prolong their therapeutic effects. The rapid metabolism and poor bioavailability that have limited the therapeutic use of garlic in the last years are also discussed.

scholarly journals Health Benefits and Pharmacological Properties of Carvone

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1803
Author(s):  
Abdelhakim Bouyahya ◽  
Hamza Mechchate ◽  
Taoufiq Benali ◽  
Rokia Ghchime ◽  
Saoulajan Charfi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Pharmacological Properties ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Therapeutic Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Carvone is a monoterpene ketone contained in the essential oils of several aromatic and medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families. From aromatic plants, this monoterpene is secreted at different concentrations depending on the species, the parts used, and the extraction methods. Currently, pharmacological investigations showed that carvone exhibits multiple pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antineuraminidase, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. These studies were carried out in vitro and in vivo and involved a great deal of knowledge on the mechanisms of action. Indeed, the antimicrobial effects are related to the action of carvone on the cell membrane and to ultrastructural changes, while the anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects involve the action on cellular and molecular targets such as inducing of apoptosis, autophagy, and senescence. With its multiple mechanisms, carvone can be considered as natural compounds to develop therapeutic drugs. However, other investigations regarding its precise mechanisms of action as well as its acute and chronic toxicities are needed to validate its applications. Therefore, this review discusses the principal studies investigating the pharmacological properties of carvone, and the mechanism of action underlying some of these properties. Moreover, further investigations of major pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies were also suggested.

scholarly journals Edible insects as a source of food bioactives and their potential health effects

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Lange ◽  
Yukiko Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Oral Intake ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Entomophagy (consumption of insects) is an issue of global nutritional and environmental interest. The nutritional value of insects appears to be high, since they are rich in protein and fat and provide a range of vitamins and minerals. Edible insects contain similar amounts of protein to conventional meat and higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Due to their high content of protein, micronutrients and fiber, insects could become a valuable alternative to food derived from other animals. The findings of various in vitro and in vivo animal studies suggest beneficial effects of entomophagy with respect to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and non-communicable diseases as well as immune functions and carcinogenesis. Edible insects appear to be a promising and insufficiently explored source of macronutrients, micronutrients and food bioactives. In the course of time, some edible insects may meet the criteria of functional food ingredients. However, there is a significant lack of research investigating health outcomes in humans. The available evidence in humans, derived from randomized controlled trials, suggests a role of edible insects in the promotion of mineral status and the modulation of gut microbiota, with some prebiotic effects. High-quality clinical studies assessing efficacy, oral intake safety and allergy risk are needed.

scholarly journals Olive Oil Nutraceuticals in the Prevention and Management of Diabetes: From Molecules to Lifestyle

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Alkhatib ◽  
Catherine Tsang ◽  
Jaakko Tuomilehto
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Olive Oil ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Glucose Lowering ◽  
Prevention Of Diabetes

Lifestyle is the primary prevention of diabetes, especially type-2 diabetes (T2D). Nutritional intake of olive oil (OO), the key Mediterranean diet component has been associated with the prevention and management of many chronic diseases including T2D. Several OO bioactive compounds such as monounsaturated fatty acids, and key biophenols including hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, have been associated with preventing inflammation and cytokine-induced oxidative damage, glucose lowering, reducing carbohydrate absorption, and increasing insulin sensitivity and related gene expression. However, research into the interaction of OO nutraceuticals with lifestyle components, especially physical activity, is lacking. Promising postprandial effects have been reported when OO or other similar monounsaturated fatty acids were the main dietary fat compared with other diets. Animal studies have shown a potential anabolic effect of oleuropein. Such effects could be further potentiated via exercise, especially strength training, which is an essential exercise prescription for individuals with T2D. There is also an evidence from in vitro, animal, and limited human studies for a dual preventative role of OO biophenols in diabetes and cancer, especially that they share similar risk factors. Putative antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and associated gene expressions resulting from OO biophenols have produced paradoxical results, making suggested inferences from dual prevention T2D and cancer outcomes difficult. Well-designed human interventions and clinical trials are needed to decipher such a potential dual anticancer and antidiabetic effects of OO nutraceuticals. Exercise combined with OO consumption, individually or as part of a healthy diet is likely to induce reciprocal action for T2D prevention outcomes.

Decellularized bone extracellular matrix in skeletal tissue engineering

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-764
Author(s):  
Benjamin B. Rothrauff ◽  
Rocky S. Tuan
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Bone Regeneration ◽  
Tissue Regeneration ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Regenerative Capacity ◽  
Skeletal Tissue ◽  
Large Bone

Bone possesses an intrinsic regenerative capacity, which can be compromised by aging, disease, trauma, and iatrogenesis (e.g. tumor resection, pharmacological). At present, autografts and allografts are the principal biological treatments available to replace large bone segments, but both entail several limitations that reduce wider use and consistent success. The use of decellularized extracellular matrices (ECM), often derived from xenogeneic sources, has been shown to favorably influence the immune response to injury and promote site-appropriate tissue regeneration. Decellularized bone ECM (dbECM), utilized in several forms — whole organ, particles, hydrogels — has shown promise in both in vitro and in vivo animal studies to promote osteogenic differentiation of stem/progenitor cells and enhance bone regeneration. However, dbECM has yet to be investigated in clinical studies, which are needed to determine the relative efficacy of this emerging biomaterial as compared with established treatments. This mini-review highlights the recent exploration of dbECM as a biomaterial for skeletal tissue engineering and considers modifications on its future use to more consistently promote bone regeneration.

Nanocurcumin: A Double-Edged Sword for Microcancers

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (45) ◽  
pp. 5783-5792
Author(s):  
Kholood Abid Janjua ◽  
Adeeb Shehzad ◽  
Raheem Shahzad ◽  
Salman Ul Islam ◽  
Mazhar Ul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Dosage Forms ◽  
The Body ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Anticancer Effects

There is compelling evidence that drug molecules isolated from natural sources are hindered by low systemic bioavailability, poor absorption, and rapid elimination from the human body. Novel approaches are urgently needed that could enhance the retention time as well as the efficacy of natural products in the body. Among the various adopted approaches to meet this ever-increasing demand, nanoformulations show the most fascinating way of improving the bioavailability of dietary phytochemicals through modifying their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Curcumin, a yellowish pigment isolated from dried ground rhizomes of turmeric, exhibits tremendous pharmacological effects, including anticancer activities. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that curcumin mediates anticancer effects through the modulation (upregulation and/or downregulations) of several intracellular signaling pathways both at protein and mRNA levels. Scientists have introduced multiple modern techniques and novel dosage forms for enhancing the delivery, bioavailability, and efficacy of curcumin in the treatment of various malignancies. These novel dosage forms include nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, phospholipids, and curcumin-encapsulated polymer nanoparticles. Nanocurcumin has shown improved anticancer effects compared to conventional curcumin formulations. This review discusses the underlying molecular mechanism of various nanoformulations of curcumin for the treatment of different cancers. We hope that this study will make a road map for preclinical and clinical investigations of cancer and recommend nano curcumin as a drug of choice for cancer therapy.

Modulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases by Plant-Derived Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Najmi Mohamad Anuar ◽  
Nurul Iman Natasya Zulkafali ◽  
Azizah Ugusman
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinases ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components

: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-dependent metallo-endopeptidase that are responsible towards the degradation, repair and remodelling of extracellular matrix components. MMPs play an important role in maintaining a normal physiological function and preventing diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Natural products derived from plants have been used as traditional medicine for centuries. Its active compounds, such as catechin, resveratrol and quercetin, are suggested to play an important role as MMPs inhibitors, thereby opening new insights into their applications in many fields, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. This review summarises the current knowledge on plant-derived natural products with MMP-modulating activities. Most of the reviewed plant-derived products exhibit an inhibitory activity on MMPs. Amongst MMPs, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are the most studied. The expression of MMPs is inhibited through respective signalling pathways, such as MAPK, NF-κB and PI3 kinase pathways, which contribute to the reduction in cancer cell behaviours, such as proliferation and migration. Most studies have employed in vitro models, but a limited number of animal studies and clinical trials have been conducted. Even though plant-derived products show promising results in modulating MMPs, more in vivo studies and clinical trials are needed to support their therapeutic applications in the future.

Synthesis, Characterization and In vitro Evaluation of N-Substituted- Sulfomoyl-Phenyl-Amino Carboxylic Acid Derivatives as Squalene Synthase Inhibitors

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-426
Author(s):  
Avani B. Chokshi ◽  
Mahesh T. Chhabria ◽  
Pritesh R. Desai
Keyword(s):  
Carboxylic Acid ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Hepatic Cell ◽  
Squalene Synthase ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Aromatic Substituent ◽  
Hepatic Cell Line ◽  
Amino Carboxylic Acid

Background:Squalene Synthase is one of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway enzymes, inhibition of which produces potent lipid lowering action. A variety of chemical classes have been evaluated for its inhibition to provide alternate antihyperlipidemic agents to statins.Methods:A series of N-substituted-sulfomoyl-phenyl-amino carboxylic acid derivatives were designed through pharmacophore modelling as Squalene Synthase inhibitors. We report here the synthesis, characterization and in vitro pharmacological screening of the designed molecules as Squalene synthase inhibitors. The target molecules were synthesized by a simple procedure and each molecule was characterized by IR, Mass, 1HNMR and 13CNMR spectroscopic techniques. As a primary site of action for cholesterol biosynthesis is liver, each of the molecules were first screened for in vitro cytotoxicity over human hepatic cell line (HepG2) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay method. The enzyme inhibition assay was performed on cell lysates prepared from HepG2 cells by Human Squalene Synthase ELISA kit, where test compounds were added in the nontoxic concentrations only.Results:Compound 5f was found to be most potent with the IC50 value of 11.91 µM. The CTC50 value for 5f on human hepatic cell line was > 1000 µM so it was considered that the compound was relatively safe and might be free of hepatotoxicity.Conclusion:From the results of our studies, it was observed that compounds with poly nuclear aromatic or hetero aromatic substituent on a side chain were more potent enzyme inhibitors and a distance of 4-5 atoms is optimum between amide nitrogen and hydroxyl group of carboxylic acid.

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