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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study verified the activity of red cabbage and beetroot against the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and their relationship with the...
This study verified the activity of red cabbage and beetroot against the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and their relationship with the biomolecules' content. Fermentation of cabbage increased the total phenolic (~10%) and flavonoid contents (~14%), whereas decreased total phenolics/flavonoids in beetroot. Fermented cabbage exhibited higher ability against AGEs, i.e., 17% in the bovine serum albumin-methylglyoxal (BSA-MGO) model and 25% in the BSA-glucose model, while beetroot exhibited 23% and 18%, respectively. The major compounds of cabbage products were cyanidin 3-(sinapoyl)(sinapoyl)-diglucoside-5-glucoside, sinapic acid, and epicatechin. Syringic acid and epicatechin were predominantly present in fermented beetroot. 2,17-bidecarboxy- and 2,15,17-tridecarboxy-betanin were the major betalains. Fermented vegetables can be effective inhibitors of the AGE formation/accumulation and could be recommended in the prevention of diet-related diseases.
PubMed: 38928733
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121791 -
Brain Sciences May 2024Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. Despite an existing abundance of antiepileptic drugs, lifelong disease...
Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. Despite an existing abundance of antiepileptic drugs, lifelong disease treatment is often required but could be improved with alternative drugs that have fewer side effects. Given that epileptic seizures stem from abnormal neuronal discharges predominately modulated by the human sodium channel Nav1.2, the quest for novel and potent Nav1.2 blockers holds promise for epilepsy management. Herein, an in vivo approach was used to detect new antiepileptic compounds using the maximum electroshock test on mice. Pre-treatment of mice with extracts from the plant ameliorated the tonic hind limb extensor phase of induced convulsions. Subsequently, an in silico approach identified potential Nav1.2 blocking compounds from using a combination of computational techniques, including molecular docking, prime molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. The molecular docking and MM/GBSA analysis indicated that out of 82 compounds known to be present in , seven exhibited relatively strong binding affinities to Nav1.2 that ranged from -6.555 to -13.476 kcal/mol; similar or with higher affinity than phenytoin (-6.660 kcal/mol), a known Na-channel blocking antiepileptic drug. Furthermore, MD simulations revealed that two compounds: 6-C-glucosyl-8-C-arabinosyl apigenin and pelargonidin-3-rhamnoside could form stable complexes with Nav1.2 at 300 K, indicating their potential as lead antiepileptic agents. In summary, the combination of in vivo and in silico approaches supports the potential of phytochemicals as natural antiepileptic therapeutic agents.
PubMed: 38928545
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060545 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Phytochemicals and tryptophan (Trp) metabolites have been found to modulate gut function and health. However, whether these metabolites modulate gut ion transport and...
Phytochemicals and tryptophan (Trp) metabolites have been found to modulate gut function and health. However, whether these metabolites modulate gut ion transport and serotonin (5-HT) metabolism and signaling requires further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of selected phytochemicals and Trp metabolites on the ion transport and 5-HT metabolism and signaling in the ileum of mice in vitro using the Ussing chamber technique. During the in vitro incubation, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) reduced ( < 0.05) the short-circuit current, and 100 μM chlorogenic acid (CGA) ( = 0.12) and perillic acid (PA) ( = 0.14) had a tendency to reduce the short-circuit current of the ileum. Compared with the control, PA and -acetylserotonin treatment upregulated the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (), while 100 μM cinnamic acid, indolelactic acid (ILA), and 10 μM CGA or indoleacetaldehyde (IAld) treatments downregulated ( < 0.05) the mRNA levels of . In addition, 10 μM IAld or 100 μM ILA upregulated ( < 0.05) the expression of monoamine oxidase A (). However, 10 μM CGA or 100 μM PA downregulated ( < 0.05) expression. All selected phytochemicals and Trp metabolites upregulated ( < 0.05) the expression of and compared to that of the control group. VMA and CGA reduced ( < 0.05) the ratios of / and /. These findings may help to elucidate the effects of phytochemicals and Trp metabolites on the regulation of gut ion transport and 5-HT signaling-related gut homeostasis in health and disease.
Topics: Animals; Serotonin; Mice; Ileum; Tryptophan; Signal Transduction; Cinnamates; Ion Transport; Male; Tryptophan Hydroxylase; Chlorogenic Acid
PubMed: 38928404
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126694 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from , used as a dietary spice, has garnered attention for its therapeutic potential, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and...
Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from , used as a dietary spice, has garnered attention for its therapeutic potential, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Despite its known benefits, the precise mechanisms underlying curcumin's effects on consumers remain unclear. To address this gap, we employed the genetic model and leveraged two omics tools-transcriptomics and metabolomics. Our investigation revealed alterations in 1043 genes and 73 metabolites upon supplementing curcumin into the diet. Notably, we observed genetic modulation in pathways related to antioxidants, carbohydrates, and lipids, as well as genes associated with gustatory perception and reproductive processes. Metabolites implicated in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and biomarkers linked to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, and aging were also identified. The study highlighted a strong correlation between the curcumin diet, antioxidant mechanisms, and amino acid metabolism. Conversely, a lower correlation was observed between carbohydrate metabolism and cholesterol biosynthesis. This research highlights the impact of curcumin on the diet, influencing perception, fertility, and molecular wellness. Furthermore, it directs future studies toward a more focused exploration of the specific effects of curcumin consumption.
Topics: Animals; Drosophila melanogaster; Curcumin; Metabolome; Transcriptome; Antioxidants; Diet; Metabolomics
PubMed: 38928266
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126559 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Most reported breast cancer-associated deaths are directly correlated with metastatic disease. Additionally, the primary goal of treating metastatic breast cancer is to...
Most reported breast cancer-associated deaths are directly correlated with metastatic disease. Additionally, the primary goal of treating metastatic breast cancer is to prolong life. Thus, there remains the need for more effective and safer strategies to treat metastatic breast cancer. Recently, more attention has been given to natural products (or phytochemicals) as potential anticancer treatments. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of the combination of the phytochemicals chlorogenic acid and cinnamaldehyde (CGA and CA) toward inhibiting metastasis. The hypothesis was that CGA and CA in combination decrease the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells by inhibiting their invasive and migratory abilities as well as the induction of apoptosis via the downregulation of the Akt, disrupting its signal transduction pathway. To test this, wound-healing and Transwell™ Matrigel™ assays were conducted to assess changes in the migration and invasion properties of the cells; apoptosis was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy for Annexin V/propidium iodide; and immunoblotting and FACSort were performed on markers for the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition status. The results show that CGA and CA significantly downregulated Akt activation by inhibiting phosphorylation. Consequently, increased caspase 3 and decreased Bcl2-α levels were observed, and apoptosis was confirmed. The inhibition of metastatic behavior was demonstrated by the attenuation of N-cadherin, fibronectin, vimentin, and MMP-9 expressions with concomitant increased expressions of E-cadherin and EpCAM. In summary, the present study demonstrated that CGA and CA in combination downregulated Akt activation, inhibited the metastatic potential, and induced apoptosis in different breast cancer cell lines.
Topics: Humans; Chlorogenic Acid; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Acrolein; Breast Neoplasms; Apoptosis; Female; Cell Movement; Cell Line, Tumor; Down-Regulation; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Signal Transduction; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Neoplasm Metastasis
PubMed: 38928123
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126417 -
Biology Jun 2024ssp. (Cff), ssp. (Cfp), and (Cs) were investigated for phytochemical analysis. Toxicity testing, programmed cell death, and cell cycle arrest were tested on CHL-1,...
ssp. (Cff), ssp. (Cfp), and (Cs) were investigated for phytochemical analysis. Toxicity testing, programmed cell death, and cell cycle arrest were tested on CHL-1, HCT-116, and HepG2 cancer cell lines, and human normal PBMCs. The results are revealed in the following order. The phytochemical percentages varied in each species, the quantity and concentration of α-amyrin and resveratrol were 0.038 mg/g and 0.955 mg/mL, and 0.064 mg/g and 0.640 mg/mL. The most studied extracts showed IC values in PBMCs and cancer cell lines except for the hexane Cff and ethanol Cfp extracts. All studied extracts did not induce DNA breaks in PBMCs but caused significant DNA breaks in the cancer cell lines. All studied extracts induced both apoptosis and necrosis in cancer cell lines, and the DNA quantity in the S and G2-M phases decreased significantly but did not induce apoptosis and necrosis in PBMCs. Except for the ethanolic extracts of Cff and Cfp that induced PBMCs apoptosis and necrosis, these data confirmed that the three studied samples have inhibiting properties for the growth of cancer cells and low toxicity to PBMCs. Cs showed more toxicity to cancer cell lines than Cf and cisplatin.
PubMed: 38927282
DOI: 10.3390/biology13060402 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Hemp ( L.) has been used for millennia as a rich source of food and fibers, whereas hemp flowers have only recently gained an increased market interest due to the...
Hemp ( L.) has been used for millennia as a rich source of food and fibers, whereas hemp flowers have only recently gained an increased market interest due to the presence of cannabinoids and volatile terpenes. Currently, the hemp flower processing industry predominantly focuses on either cannabinoid or terpene extraction. In an attempt to maximize the valorization of hemp flowers, the current study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of several extracts obtained from post-distillation by-products (e.g., spent material, residual distillation water) in comparison to the essential oil and total extract obtained from unprocessed hemp flowers. A terpene analysis of the essential oil revealed 14 monoterpenes and 35 sesquiterpenes. The cannabinoid profiling of extracts showed seven acidic precursors and 14 neutral derivatives, with cannabidiol (CBD) reaching the highest concentration (up to 16 wt.%) in the spent material extract. The antimicrobial assessment of hemp EO, cannabinoid-containing extracts, and single compounds (i.e., CBD, cannabigerol, cannabinol, and cannabichromene) against a panel of 20 microbial strains demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against Gram-positive bacteria, , and species. In conclusion, this work suggests promising opportunities to use cannabinoid-rich materials from hemp flower processing in functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals with antimicrobial properties.
PubMed: 38927152
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060485 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The present study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of five commercially available essential oils (EOs), Lavender (LEO), Clove (CEO), Oregano (OEO), Eucalyptus...
Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity of Commercially Available Essential Oils Combinations with Conventional Antibiotics against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria.
The present study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of five commercially available essential oils (EOs), Lavender (LEO), Clove (CEO), Oregano (OEO), Eucalyptus (EEO), and Peppermint (PEO), against the most-known MDR Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria- (ATCC 25923), (ATCC 25922), and (ATCC 27853)-alone and in various combinations. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis established their complex compositions. Then, their antibacterial activity-expressed as the inhibition zone diameter (IZD) value (mm)-was investigated in vitro by the diffusimetric antibiogram method, using sterile cellulose discs with Ø 6 mm impregnated with 10 µL of sample and sterile borosilicate glass cylinders loaded with 100 µL; the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (µg/mL) for each EO was calculated from the IZD values (mm) measured after 24 h. The following EO combinations were evaluated: OEO+CEO, CEO+EEO, CEO+PEO, LEO+EEO, and EEO+PEO. Then, the influence of each dual combination on the activity of three conventional antibacterial drugs-Neomycin (NEO), Tetracycline (TET), and Bacitracin (BAC)-was investigated. The most active EOs against and were LEO and OEO (IZD = 40 mm). They were followed by CEO and EEO (IZD = 20-27 mm); PEO exhibited the lowest antibacterial activity (IZD = 15-20 mm). EEO alone showed the highest inhibitory activity on (IZD = 25-35 mm). It was followed by CEO, LEO, and EEO (IZD = 7-11 mm), while PEO proved no antibacterial action against it (IZD = 0 mm). Only one synergic action was recorded (OEO+CEO against ); EEO+PEO revealed partial synergism against and CEO+PEO showed additive behavior against . Two triple associations with TET showed partial synergism against , and the other two (with NEO and TET) evidenced the same behavior against ; all contained EEO+PEO or CEO+PEO. Most combinations reported indifference. However, numerous cases involved antagonism between the constituents included in the double and triple combinations, and the EOs with the strongest antibacterial activities belonged to the highest antagonistic combinations. A consistent statistical analysis supported our results, showing that the EOs with moderate antibacterial activities could generate combinations with higher inhibitory effects based on synergistic or additive interactions.
PubMed: 38927145
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060478 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024Human health is now inextricably linked to lifestyle choices, which can either protect or predispose people to serious illnesses. The Mediterranean diet, characterized... (Review)
Review
Human health is now inextricably linked to lifestyle choices, which can either protect or predispose people to serious illnesses. The Mediterranean diet, characterized by the consumption of various medicinal plants and their byproducts, plays a significant role in protecting against ailments such as oxidative stress, cancer, and diabetes. To uncover the secrets of this natural treasure, this review seeks to consolidate diverse data concerning the pharmacology, toxicology, phytochemistry, and botany of L. (). Its aim is to explore the potential therapeutic applications and propose avenues for future research. Through web literature searches (using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus), all information currently available on was acquired. Worldwide, ethnomedical usage of has been reported, indicating its effectiveness in treating a range of illnesses. Phytochemical studies have identified a range of compounds, including flavanones, iridoids, secoiridoids, flavonoids, triterpenes, biophenols, benzoic acid derivatives, among others. These components exhibit diverse pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo, such as antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, and wound-healing properties. serves as a valuable source of conventional medicine for treating various conditions. The findings from pharmacological and phytochemical investigations presented in this review enhance our understanding of its therapeutic potential and support its potential future use in modern medicine.
Topics: Humans; Olea; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Animals; Plants, Medicinal; Antioxidants
PubMed: 38927125
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060722 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024(1) Background: Phytochemicals are crucial antioxidants that play a significant role in preventing cancer. (2) Methods: We explored the use of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in...
(1) Background: Phytochemicals are crucial antioxidants that play a significant role in preventing cancer. (2) Methods: We explored the use of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in the in vitro cultivation of adventitious roots (DMAR) and evaluated its impact on secondary metabolite production in DMAR, optimizing concentration and exposure time for cost-effectiveness. We also assessed its anti-inflammatory and anti-lung cancer activities and related gene expression levels. (3) Results: MeJA treatment significantly increased the production of the phenolic compound 3,5-Di-caffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA). The maximum 3,5-DCQA production was achieved with a MeJA treatment at 40 µM for 36 h. MeJA-DMARE displayed exceptional anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, it downregulated the mRNA expression of key inflammation-related cytokines. Additionally, MeJA-DMARE exhibited anti-lung cancer activity by promoting ROS production in A549 lung cancer cells and inhibiting its migration. It also modulated apoptosis in lung cancer cells via the Bcl-2 and p38 MAPK pathways. (4) Conclusions: MeJA-treated DMARE with increased 3,5-DCQA production holds significant promise as a sustainable and novel material for pharmaceutical applications thanks to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-lung cancer properties.
Topics: Cyclopentanes; Oxylipins; Acetates; Animals; Mice; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Lung Neoplasms; Humans; RAW 264.7 Cells; Plant Roots; Reactive Oxygen Species; Nitric Oxide; Apoptosis; Quinic Acid; A549 Cells; Sapindaceae
PubMed: 38927108
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060705