Pharmacological Potentials of Royal Jelly in Dentistry: A Review

“Royal Jelly” is a viscous material which is secreted by the cephalic gland of the “worker bee.” This is the key component of the “queen bee’s” diet, rendering it with longer life span compared to worker bees.“Royal Jelly” possess various pharmacological properties. These includes antioxidant, neurotropic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antibiotic, anti-aging, antihypertensive properties. This article summarizes biological properties, composition, criteria of quality evaluation of “Royal Jelly”and published studies on the efficacy of “Royal Jelly” as a “wound healing agent” , as a component of mouth wash used in treatment of oral mucositis, periodontal diseases, as a storage media and as a pulp capping agent.“Royal Jelly” can emerge as a viable alternative to conventional synthetic agents, which may avoid usual drawbacks of synthetic medicaments.

Antihypertensive and Antioxidant Activity of Chia Protein Techno-Functional Extensive Hydrolysates

Twelve high-quality chia protein hydrolysates (CPHs) were produced from chia protein isolate (CPI) in a pilot plant of vegetable proteins. To obtain functional hydrolysate, four CPHs were hydrolyzed by the action of Alcalase, an endoprotease, and the other eight CPHs were hydrolyzed by the action of Flavourzyme, an exoprotease. Alcalase-obtained CPHs showed significant antihypertensive properties particularly, the CPH obtained after 15 min of hydrolysis with Alcalase (CPH15A), which showed a 36.2% hydrolysis degree. In addition, CPH15A increased the antioxidant capacity compared to CPI. The CPH15A physicochemical composition was characterized and compared to chia defatted flour (CDF) and CPI, and its techno-functional properties were determined by in vitro experiments through the analysis of its oil absorption capacity, as well as the capacity and stability of foaming and emulsifying, resulting in an emulsifier and stabilizer better than the intact protein. Therefore, the present study revealed that CPH15A has potent antihypertensive and antioxidant properties and can constitute an effective alternative to other plant protein ingredients sources that are being used in the food industry.

Fermentation Profile and Probiotic-Related Characteristics of Bifidobacterium longum MC-42

This article presents new data on Bifidobacterium longum MC-42—a strain that has been actively used for the preparation of commercial dairy products in Russia for almost 40 years. It was demonstrated that this strain possesses high activities of β-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, and leucine arylaminidase; inhibits the growth of pathogens such as Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli; and can efficiently remove cholesterol from the cultural medium. The resistance of B. longum MC-42 determined for 15 commonly used antibiotics was in agreement with those previously reported for Bifidobacterium spp. The absence of frequently transmittable antibiotic resistance genes in the genome and the lack of undesirable activity of β-glucuronidase proved the safe use of B. longum MC-42 as a probiotic and starter culture. Additionally, the impact of two growth-promoting additives—yeast extract or milk protein hydrolysate containing supplementation—on the B. longum MC-42 fermentation profile was assessed. The introduction of these additives increases the maximum attainable viable cell count by orders of magnitude, significantly changed the profile of aminopeptidase activities in extracellular extracts, and influenced the antioxidant and antihypertensive properties of the obtained fermented products.

Evaluation of the in vivo Antihypertensive Effect and Antioxidant Activity of HL-7 and HL-10 Peptide in Mice

In this study, the in vivo antioxidant and antihypertensive properties of peptides HL-7 with the sequence of YLYELR and HL-10 with the sequence of AFPYYGHHLG were identified from scorpion venom of H. lepturus were evaluated. To study the in vivo effects of peptides, D-galactose-induced and DOCA salt-induced mice models were used. The results of the antioxidant assay for both peptides showed that the activity of serum and liver catalase (CAT), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, was significantly decreased in the D-galactose-induced group (NC), while MDA levels were increased in serum and the liver tissue samples (p<0.01). Compared with the D-galactose-induced mice, the peptide treated mice group had a higher activity of antioxidant enzymes namely CAT and SOD, as well as a lower lipid peroxidation level. Also, the results of antihypertensive activity for both peptides showed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the mice treated with the HL-7 and HL-10 peptides were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01). The administration of the HL-7 peptide at doses of 5 mg/kg BW (LP1) and 15 mg/kg BW (HP1) significantly diminished the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) by 31 mmHg and 40.47 mmHg, respectively. Accordingly, treatment of mice with the HL-10 peptide at doses of 5 mg/kg BW (LP2) and 15 mg/kg BW (HP2) considerably lowered the MAP by 18.3 mmHg and 21.93 mmHg, respectively. Our findings suggest that both the HL-7 and HL-10 peptides could be potentially utilized as antihypertensive and antioxidant components.

Sprue-Like Enteropathy and Liver Injury: A Rare Emerging Association with Olmesartan

Olmesartan-induced enteropathy is an underreported phenomenon, first described in 2012. While olmesartan’s antihypertensive properties were confirmed early on, its association with a sprue-like enteropathy was subsequently noted. Although this association has been reported with olmesartan, there have been few reports of this association with other angiotensin-receptor blockers. We present a case of a 79-year-old male who presented with diarrhea, weight loss, jaundice, and transaminitis. Further history revealed that he had been taking olmesartan 40 mg daily for hypertension. Workup of his diarrhea and jaundice included duodenal and liver biopsies revealed findings consistent with a sprue-like enteropathy and an autoimmune hepatitis-like pattern. On discontinuation of olmesartan, his 1-month follow-up revealed significant improvement in his clinical status as well as his liver function tests. Olmesartan is an effective antihypertensive medication; however, physicians must be mindful of its side effect of causing a sprue-like enteropathy and liver injury. Patients should be counseled on discontinuing olmesartan, and they should be started on an alternative therapy for hypertension.

A multifunctional ingredient for the management of metabolic syndrome in cafeteria diet-fed rats

A novel dietary multifunctional ingredient improves glucose and lipid homeostasis and exhibits antihypertensive properties in cafeteria-fed obese rats.

Hypotensive and Antihypertensive Properties and Safety for Use of Annona muricata and Persea americana and Their Combination Products

Introduction. In the management of hypertension (a cardiovascular disease and the leading metabolic risk factor in noncommunicable diseases) with herbal medicines, efficacy and safety are of uttermost concern. This study sought to establish hypotensive, antihypertensive, drug interaction, and safety for use of the aqueous leaf extracts of Annona muricata (AME), Persea americana (PAE), or their combination products (CAPE). Methodology. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were measured in normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 50–150 mg/kg of AME, PAE, or CAPE to establish a hypotensive effect. “Combination index” was calculated to establish interaction between AME and PAE. The antihypertensive effect of CAPE was established by measuring SBP, DBP, MAP, and HR in ethanol-sucrose- and epinephrine-induced hypertension. Full blood count, liver and kidney function tests, and urinalysis were determined in ethanol/sucrose-induced hypertension to establish safety for use. Results. AME, PAE, and CAPE significantly ( p ≤ 0.001 ) decreased BP in both normotensive and hypertensive animals. Effects of CAPE 1, CAPE 2, and CAPE 3 were synergistic (combination indices of 0.65 ± 0.07, 0.76 ± 0.09, and 0.87 ± 0.07, respectively). There was a significant decrease ( p ≤ 0.01 − 0.001 ) in SBP and MAP with 100 mg/kg CAPE 1 and 75 mg/kg CAPE 2 treatment in hypertension as well as with nifedipine ( p ≤ 0.001 ) treatment. Epinephrine-induced hypertension in anesthetized cats was significantly and dose-dependently inhibited ( p < 0.05 − 0.001 ) by 25–100 mg/ml CAPE 1 and 37.5–75 mg/ml CAPE 2. CAPE administration had no deleterious effect ( p > 0.05 ) on full blood count, liver and kidney function, and urine composition in hypertensive rats. Conclusion. The aqueous leaf extracts of Annona muricata, Persea americana, and their combination products possess antihypertensive properties, with combination products showing synergism and safety with use.