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International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023, also known as Ashwagandha, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Due to the wide range of its activities, there has been interest in its... (Review)
Review
, also known as Ashwagandha, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Due to the wide range of its activities, there has been interest in its possible beneficial effects on the human body. It is proved that, among others, Ashwagandha has anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and hypolipidemic properties. Particularly interesting are its properties reported in the field of psychiatry and neurology: in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, anxiety disorders and many others. The aim of this review is to find and summarize the effect that Ashwagandha root extract has on the endocrine system and hormones. The multitude of active substances and the wide hormonal problems faced by modern society sparked our interest in the topic of Ashwagandha's impact on this system. In this work, we also attempted to draw conclusions as to whether can help normalize the functions of the human endocrine system in the future. The search mainly included research published in the years 2010-2023. The results of the research show that Ashwagandha can have a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine system, including improving the secretory function of the thyroid gland, normalizing adrenal activity, and multidirectional improvement on functioning of the reproductive system. The main mechanism of action in the latter appears to be based on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as a decrease in cortisol levels and an increase in hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in men were found, which results in stress level reduction and improvement in fertility. In turn, other studies prove that active substances from , acting on the body, cause an increase in the secretion of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) by the thyroid gland and a subsequent decrease in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in accordance with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. In light of these findings, it is clear that Ashwagandha holds significant promise as a natural remedy for various health concerns, especially those related to the endocrine system. Future research may provide new insights into its mechanisms of action and expand its applications in both traditional and modern medicine. The safety and toxicity of Ashwagandha also remain important issues, which may affect its potential use in specific patient groups.
Topics: Male; Humans; Withania; Plant Extracts; Thyroid Gland; Luteinizing Hormone
PubMed: 38003702
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216513 -
Nutrients Aug 2023The use of garlic () for treating arterial hypertension has been recognized as effective for several decades. However, tolerance to treatment is low, and several... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Antihypertensive Effects of an Optimized Aged Garlic Extract in Subjects with Grade I Hypertension and Antihypertensive Drug Therapy: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Controlled Trial.
The use of garlic () for treating arterial hypertension has been recognized as effective for several decades. However, tolerance to treatment is low, and several technological modifications have been developed to improve its tolerability, such as the aging process at controlled temperature and humidity. This study aims to validate the antihypertensive effects of an optimized extract of aged black garlic with low doses of s-allyl-cysteine (SAC) in a Grade I hypertensive population with drug treatment. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial was developed, where a daily supplementation with 0.25 mg/day of SAC for 12 weeks was performed. A reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 1.8 mmHg (0.7 to 4.1 95% CI) and 1.5 mmHg (0.3 to 3.0 95% CI), respectively, was observed. Similarly, an increase in blood nitric oxide (10.3 µM, 1.1 to 19.5 95% CI) and antioxidant capacity (7 × 10 µM TE/min, (1.2 to 13 × 10 95% CI) and a reduction in uric acid levels (-0.3 mg/dL, -0.5 to -0.001 95% CI) and ACE activity (-9.3 U/L; -18.4 to -0.4 95% CI) were observed. No changes in endothelial function and inflammatory cytokines were observed. It was concluded that low-dose SAC supplementation in an optimized black-garlic extract allows for an extra-significant reduction in blood pressure in a Grade I hypertensive population receiving drug treatment.
Topics: Humans; Antihypertensive Agents; Garlic; Antioxidants; Hypertension; Biological Products; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37686723
DOI: 10.3390/nu15173691 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Sep 2023Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa, cypress species) is a plant that grows mainly in the temperate Northern Hemisphere and has long been used as a traditional...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa, cypress species) is a plant that grows mainly in the temperate Northern Hemisphere and has long been used as a traditional anti-inflammatory treatment in East Asia. C. obtusa contains phytoncides, flavonoids, and terpenes, which have excellent anti-cancer effects and have been reported to prevent the progression of various cancers. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effects of C. obtusa extracts are unknown.
AIM OF THE STUDY
We sought to confirm the anti-cancer effects of C. obtusa leaf extracts and to reveal the mechanism of action, with the possibility of its application in the treatment or prevention of cancer.
MATERIAL &METHODS
The cytotoxicity of C. obtusa leaf extracts was confirmed using an MTT assay. Intracellular changes in protein levels were measured by immunoblotting, and mRNA levels were measured with qRT-PCR. Wound healing assay and transwell migration assay were used to evaluate the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells. The extract-induced apoptosis was observed using IncuCyte Annexin V Red staining analysis. A syngeneic breast cancer mouse model was established by injecting 4T1-Luc mouse breast cancer cells into the fat pad of female BALB/c mice, and the extract was administered orally. Luciferin solution was injected intraperitoneally to assess primary tumor development and metastasis by bioluminescence.
RESULTS
C. obtusa leaf extracts were extracted with boiling water, 70% EtOH, and 99% EtOH. Among the extracts, the 99% EtOH extract of C. obtusa leaf (CO99EL) most clearly inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (pY-STAT3) in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells at a concentration of 25 and 50 μg/mL. In addition, CO99EL strongly inhibited not only endogenous pY-STAT3 levels but also IL-6-induced STAT3 activation in various types of cancer cells, including breast cancer. CO99EL inhibited metastatic potential by downregulating the expression of N-cadherin, fibronectin, TWIST, MMP2, and MMP9 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. CO99EL also induced apoptotic cell death by increasing cleaved caspase-3 and decreasing anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. In an in vivo syngeneic breast cancer mouse model, 100 mg/kg CO99EL suppressed tumor growth and induced apoptosis of cancer cells. Moreover, CO99EL significantly inhibited lung metastasis from primary breast cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrated that 100 mg/kg CO99EL has potent anti-tumor effects against breast cancer, thus suggesting that 100 mg/kg CO99EL has potential applications in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Chamaecyparis; Plant Extracts; Wound Healing; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Water; Ethanol; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37146844
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116598 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023The common daisy () belongs to the family Asteraceae and, in recent years, some new research has been published on the bioactive compounds and biological activities of... (Review)
Review
The common daisy () belongs to the family Asteraceae and, in recent years, some new research has been published on the bioactive compounds and biological activities of its extracts. In 2014, the knowledge was partially summarized, but several new studies have been published in the last nine years. In addition, the substances were tabularly consolidated to give a comprehensive overview of over 310 individual components, compound classes, and bioactivities, as well as their accurate plant organ origin. The latest results have shown that the plant has antioxidative, antimicrobial, anticancerogenic, wound healing, antidepressive, anxiolytic, nephroprotective, and insulin mimetic effects, as well as an effect on lipid metabolism. Some studies in the field of homeopathy were also listed. Ideally, a biological effect and one or several compound(s) can be correlated. However, the compounds of the extracts used have often been qualified and quantified, but it remains unclear which of these substances have an activity. The works often stick at the level of the crude extract or a fraction, but not at a single purified and tested compound and, consequently, they are hampered by a missing comprehensive bioactivity workflow. This review provides a critical overview and gaps and offers a basis for further research in this area.
Topics: Antioxidants; Anti-Infective Agents; Wound Healing; Asteraceae; Flowers; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38067445
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237716 -
Nutrients Sep 2023Aronia melanocarpa berries are rich in antioxidants and possess a high antioxidant capacity. Aronia berries have shown potential in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Aronia melanocarpa berries are rich in antioxidants and possess a high antioxidant capacity. Aronia berries have shown potential in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment, and previous studies indicate improvements in glycemia after supplementation. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of aronia berries is limited by the low bioavailability of aronia, which fermentation could potentially overcome. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of fermented or non-fermented aronia pulp with placebo in subjects with T2DM. This study was a triple-blinded, triple-crossover study with eight-week intervention periods with fermented aronia extract (FAE), non-fermented aronia extract (AE), and placebo. Extracts were incorporated in snack bars with 37% aronia (FAE or AE) or wheat bran (placebo) and 63% raisins and coconut oil. Pre- and post-treatment period, we did fasting blood samples, including hemoglobin A1c, fructosamine, insulin, glucose, glucagon-like peptide-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon, oral glucose tolerance tests, and anthropometric measurements. Of 36 randomized participants, 23 completed the trial. Aside from a higher increase in GIP after FAE supplementation compared to after placebo supplementation, aronia extracts had no effect. The increase in GIP levels after FAE supplementation may hold potential benefits, but the overall clinical impact remains unclear.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Photinia; Cross-Over Studies; Antioxidants; Insulin; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37836472
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194188 -
Pharmaceutical Biology Dec 2023(Craib) A. Schmitz (LS) (Fabaceae) has traditionally been used to treat diabetes mellitus.
CONTEXT
(Craib) A. Schmitz (LS) (Fabaceae) has traditionally been used to treat diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
This study demonstrates the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract of LS leaves and .
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The effects of aqueous LS leaf extract on glucose uptake, sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) mRNA expression in Caco-2 cells, α-glucosidase, and lipid peroxidation were evaluated . The antidiabetic effects were evaluated using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and a 28-day consecutive administration to streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NA)-induced type 2 diabetic mice.
RESULTS
The extract significantly inhibited glucose uptake (IC: 236.2 ± 36.05 µg/mL) and downregulated SGLT1 and GLUT2 mRNA expression by approximately 90% in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, it non-competitively inhibited α-glucosidase in a concentration-dependent manner with the IC and of 6.52 ± 0.42 and 1.32 µg/mL, respectively. The extract at 1000 mg/kg significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels in both the OGTT and 28-day consecutive administration models as compared with untreated STZ-NA-induced diabetic mice ( < 0.05). Significant improvements of serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and GLUT4 levels were observed. Furthermore, the extract markedly decreased oxidative stress markers by 37-53% reduction of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in muscle and malondialdehyde (MDA) in muscle and pancreas, which correlated with the reduction of MDA production (IC: 24.80 ± 7.24 µg/mL).
CONCLUSION
The LS extract has potent antihyperglycemic activity to be used as alternative medicine to treat diabetes mellitus.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; alpha-Glucosidases; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Blood Glucose; Caco-2 Cells; Plant Extracts; Hypoglycemic Agents; Niacinamide; RNA, Messenger; Streptozocin
PubMed: 36625086
DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2160771 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023Nanotechnology is one of the fastest-growing markets, but developing eco-friendly products, their maximum production, stability, and higher yield is a challenge. In this...
Nanotechnology is one of the fastest-growing markets, but developing eco-friendly products, their maximum production, stability, and higher yield is a challenge. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using an easily available resource, leaves extract of the Neem (Azadirachta indica) plant, as a reducing and capping agent, determined their effect on germination and growth of tomato plants. The maximum production of silver nanoparticles was noted at 70 °C after 3 h of reaction time while treating the 10 ml leaf extract of Neem plant with 10 ml of 1 mM silver nitrate. The impact of the extract preparation method and solvent type on the plant mediated fabrication of silver nanoparticles was also investigated. The UV-spectrophotometric analysis confirmed the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and showed an absorption spectrum within Δ420-440 nm range. The size of the fabricated silver nanoparticles was 22-30 nm. The functional groups such as ethylene, amide, carbonyl, methoxy, alcohol, and phenol attached to stabilize the nanoparticles were observed using the FTIR technique. SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses were performed to study the physiochemical characteristics of synthesized nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles increased the germination rate of tomato seeds up to 70% while decreasing the mean germination time compared to the control. Silver nanoparticles applied at varying concentrations significantly increased the shoot length (25 to 80%), root length (10 to 60%), and fresh biomass (10 to 80%) biomass of the tomato plant. The production of total chlorophyll, carotenoid, flavonoids, soluble sugar, and protein was significantly increased in tomato plants treated with 5 and 10 ppm silver nanoparticles compared to the control. Green synthesized silver nanoparticles are cost-effective and nontoxic and can be applied in agriculture, biomedical, and other fields.
Topics: Metal Nanoparticles; Solanum lycopersicum; Plant Extracts; Silver; Azadirachta; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 37872286
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45038-x -
Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2023Traditional Chinese medicine (PC) has significant effects on reducing pain. In this study, we investigated the analgesic effects of the alcohol extract of PC on three...
OBJECTIVE
Traditional Chinese medicine (PC) has significant effects on reducing pain. In this study, we investigated the analgesic effects of the alcohol extract of PC on three types of inflammatory pain and explored its mechanism.
METHODS
Potential targets for the analgesic effects of the main active components of PC alcohol extract were screened by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Three different inflammatory pain mouse models (acetic acid twisting, formalin foot swelling, and xylene ear swelling) were used to study the analgesic effects of PC. The expression of latent signaling pathways in L spinal cord tissues in formalin foot swelling mice was evaluated using real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot (WB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses.
RESULTS
Network pharmacology analysis shows that PC analgesic mechanism is related to the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. The five main active components of PC have good docking ability with JNK and p38. PC alcohol extract significantly reduced the pain behavior and alleviated inflammatory reactions in three mouse models, inhibited the mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of JNK, ERK, p38, and CREB in spinal cord tissues.
CONCLUSION
PC alcohol extract can inhibit inflammation and alleviate pain, which is related to its inhibition of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in spinal cord. Thus, PC alcohol extract is a promising candidate for pain treatment.
Topics: Rats; Mice; Animals; Fallopia japonica; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Molecular Docking Simulation; Pain; Signal Transduction; Analgesics; Ethanol; Inflammation; Plant Extracts; Disease Models, Animal; Formaldehyde
PubMed: 37876500
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S420002 -
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine Aug 2023Metallic nanoparticles from different natural sources exhibit superior therapeutic options as compared to the conventional methods. species have attracted special... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Metallic nanoparticles from different natural sources exhibit superior therapeutic options as compared to the conventional methods. species have attracted special attention of researchers worldwide due to the presence of bioactive molecules such as flavonoids, biflavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, saponins, tannins and other secondary metabolites that exhibit antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Environment friendly green synthesised silver nanoparticles from species provide viable, safe and efficient treatment against different fungal pathogens.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aims to summarise the literature pertaining to superior antifungal ability of green synthesised silver nanoparticles using plant extracts of spp. in comparison to both aqueous and ethanolic raw plant extracts by electronically collecting articles from databases.
METHODS
The recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis were taken into consideration while preparing this review. The titles and abstracts of the collected data were stored in Endnote20 based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search strategy included literature from established sources like PubMed, Google Scholar and Retrieval System Online using subject descriptors.
RESULTS
The search yielded 60 articles with unique hits. After removal of duplications, 46 articles were identified, 40 were assessed and only seven articles were chosen and included in this review based on our eligibility criteria.
CONCLUSION
The physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical investigations of suggest higher drug potency of nanoparticles synthesised from plant extract against different diseases as compared to aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts. The study holds great promise as the synthesis of nanoparticles involves low energy consumption, minimal technology and least toxic effects.
Topics: Humans; Metal Nanoparticles; Selaginellaceae; Silver; Anti-Infective Agents; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37534437
DOI: 10.1017/erm.2023.21 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and antiproliferative activities of extracts. Two flavonoids,...
The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and antiproliferative activities of extracts. Two flavonoids, 3'-O-methylorobol and apigenin 7-sulfate, were isolated from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of . The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts, as well as their overall antioxidant activities as measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and reducing power assays, were investigated. The EtOAc extract exhibited significantly greater antioxidant activities in both assays and higher phenol and flavonoid contents than the other extracts. The potential antiproliferative properties of the extracts and isolated compounds were investigated in vitro against the AGS, A549, and HT-29 cancer cell lines and the normal human HEK-293 cell line using the MTT assay. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining analysis and quantitative real-time PCR were used to assess AGS cell apoptosis. At a concentration of 100 µg/mL, the EtOAc extract of reduced AGS cell viability and proliferation by inducing apoptosis through the alteration of gene expression in the apoptotic cascade. These results highlight as a promising source of anticancer compounds.
Topics: Humans; Antioxidants; Plant Extracts; Eclipta; HEK293 Cells; Flavonoids
PubMed: 37959773
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217354