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Nutrients Apr 2024Acne vulgaris (AV) significantly reduces the quality of life (QoL) of young people, so it is important to look for factors that can improve their QoL. The aim of this...
Acne vulgaris (AV) significantly reduces the quality of life (QoL) of young people, so it is important to look for factors that can improve their QoL. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary antioxidants measured using the new DAQI index and QoL measured using standardized tests. The DAQI included the following elements: antioxidant vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, and the total antioxidant capacity of the diet. The study involved 165 young women with AV, mainly students. A self-report survey was used to collect basic data on their sociodemographic status, anthropometric information, and lifestyle. The energy value of the diet and the content of vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids with antioxidant activity in the diet were estimated using 3-day food diaries and the Diet 6.0 program. The antioxidant potential of the diet and the content of polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, and selenium were calculated based on the consumption of individual food products and available databases. The results of this study showed that the QoL of the young women with AV was impaired. However, greater adherence to an antioxidant diet reduces the risk of AV impact on the QoL by approximately 30-32% and the risk of depression by 33%. The DAQI may be used as a new indicator of diet quality in acne vulgaris.
Topics: Humans; Female; Quality of Life; Antioxidants; Acne Vulgaris; Young Adult; Diet; Adult; Adolescent; Polyphenols; Carotenoids
PubMed: 38732517
DOI: 10.3390/nu16091270 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Globally, gall-forming insects significantly contribute to the degradation of desert ecosystems. Recent studies have demonstrated that suffers less damage from...
Globally, gall-forming insects significantly contribute to the degradation of desert ecosystems. Recent studies have demonstrated that suffers less damage from gall-formers compared to . However, the mechanisms driving the long-term metabolic responses of these species to gall-forming biotic stress in their natural environment remain unclear. The current study comparatively analyzes the anatomical features and metabolomic changes in and damaged by gall-forming insects. This research aimed to uncover potential metabolic tolerance mechanisms through GC-MS analysis. The study findings indicate that gall-forming insects cause a reduction in nearly all the anatomical structures of shoots, with the effects being less severe in than in . Thus, the metabolic pathways responsible for the biosynthesis of biologically active substances that enhance resistance to gall inducers were different, specifically in -the biosynthesis of fatty acids (+their derivatives) and γ-tocopherol (vitamin E) and -the biosynthesis of fatty acids (+their derivatives), dialkyl ethers, carbohydrates (+their derivatives), aromatic acid derivatives, phytosterols, γ-tocopherol (vitamin E), phenols, and terpenoids. The results suggest that the modulation of metabolic pathways under biotic stress plays a crucial role in the enhanced survival and growth of .
Topics: Animals; Metabolome; Plant Tumors; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Metabolomics
PubMed: 38731957
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094738 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The objective of this study was to develop a simultaneous analytical method for the determination of lignans, tocols, phytosterols, and squalene using high-performance...
The objective of this study was to develop a simultaneous analytical method for the determination of lignans, tocols, phytosterols, and squalene using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array and fluorescence detector (HPLC-DAD-FLD). The method employed a Vertisep UPS silica HPLC column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase mixture of n-hexane/tetrahydrofuran/2-propanol. This approach enabled the simultaneous analysis of ten compounds within 22 min. The linear correlation (R) exceeded 0.9901. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were up to 0.43 µg mL for lignans and tocopherols and up to 326.23 µg mL for phytosterol and squalene. The precision and accuracy of the intra-day and inter-day variation were less than 1.09 and 3.32% relative standard deviations (RSDs). Furthermore, the developed method was applied for the analysis of targeted compounds in twenty-eight sesame oil samples (1775-8965 µg g total lignans, 29.7-687.9 µg g total tocopherols, 2640-9500 µg g phytosterol, and 245-4030 µg g squalene). The HPLC method that has been developed was proven to be a reliable and effective tool for the determination of those functional compounds among sesame oil samples.
PubMed: 38731739
DOI: 10.3390/foods13091368 -
Cells May 2024In our previous studies, we showed that the generation of ovarian tumors in NSG mice (immune-compromised) resulted in the induction of muscle and cardiac cachexia, and...
In our previous studies, we showed that the generation of ovarian tumors in NSG mice (immune-compromised) resulted in the induction of muscle and cardiac cachexia, and treatment with withaferin A (WFA; a steroidal lactone) attenuated both muscle and cardiac cachexia. However, our studies could not address if these restorations by WFA were mediated by its anti-tumorigenic properties that might, in turn, reduce the tumor burden or WFA's direct, inherent anti-cachectic properties. To address this important issue, in our present study, we used a cachectic model induced by the continuous infusion of Ang II by implanting osmotic pumps in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. The continuous infusion of Ang II resulted in the loss of the normal functions of the left ventricle (LV) (both systolic and diastolic), including a significant reduction in fractional shortening, an increase in heart weight and LV wall thickness, and the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The infusion of Ang II also resulted in the development of cardiac fibrosis, and significant increases in the expression levels of genes (ANP, BNP, and MHCβ) associated with cardiac hypertrophy and the chemical staining of the collagen abundance as an indication of fibrosis. In addition, Ang II caused a significant increase in expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, MIP-2, and IFNγ), NLRP3 inflammasomes, AT1 receptor, and a decrease in AT2 receptor. Treatment with WFA rescued the LV functions and heart hypertrophy and fibrosis. Our results demonstrated, for the first time, that, while WFA has anti-tumorigenic properties, it also ameliorates the cardiac dysfunction induced by Ang II, suggesting that it could be an anticachectic agent that induces direct effects on cardiac muscles.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Angiotensin II; Cachexia; Cardiomegaly; Cytokines; Fibrosis; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myocardium; Withanolides
PubMed: 38727319
DOI: 10.3390/cells13090783 -
Journal of Parasitology Research 2024Helminthic infections affect a greater proportion of the world's population. This study determined the anthelmintic activity of and its modifying effect on albendazole....
Helminthic infections affect a greater proportion of the world's population. This study determined the anthelmintic activity of and its modifying effect on albendazole. Powdered leaves of were successively extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. The anthelmintic potential of the leaf extracts and the modifying effects of the extracts on albendazole were determined on . Phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analyses were performed to determine the chemical composition of each extract. The plant extracts of had few or all phytoconstituents such as tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, phytosterols, and alkaloids present. The IC obtained for albendazole, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts for paralysis time were 0.936, 1.722, 1.283, and 1.348 mg/mL, respectively. The IC obtained for albendazole and the ethanol extract for death time were 4.638 and 4.988 mg/mL. The ethanol extract at 10 and 5 mg/mL caused death in the worms after 152.5 ± 8.66 minutes and 304.8 ± 7.27 minutes of exposure, respectively. Ethanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether extracts of significantly modified the activity of albendazole at concentrations of 2.5 and 1.25 mg/mL ( < 0.0001). The ethanol extract which exhibited the best anthelminthic activity was fractionated through column chromatography, and five (5) fractions were obtained. Fractions 1, 2, 4, and 5 had the best paralytic activities against the worms. Fractions 1 and 2 demonstrated better helminthicidal activity than albendazole, which had an IC of 3.915. The GC-MS analysis of the ethanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether extracts showed the presence of 10, 10, and 37 compounds, respectively, with 9-octadecenamide, (Z)-, n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, and some aromatic compounds being the most predominant. The results obtained indicate that leaf extract possesses anthelmintic activity.
PubMed: 38725799
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5513489 -
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Jun 2024The genus (P. Beauv.) belongs to the Apocynaceae family with over 65 species distributed all over the tropical regions. This genus has a considerable number of... (Review)
Review
The genus (P. Beauv.) belongs to the Apocynaceae family with over 65 species distributed all over the tropical regions. This genus has a considerable number of documented medicinal, industrial, and ecologically beneficial effects. Therefore, this review is tailored towards the appraisal of the traditional significance, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of the genus . This will help researchers understand future research trends by bridging the gaps between documented literature and contemporary uses. Relevant information was obtained from selection of scientific databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Wiley. From documented literature, different parts of have been used to improve fertility, lessen menstrual pain, boost sex libido, cure malaria and typhoid. Several classes of bioactive constituents such as terpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, steroids, fatty acids, saponins, phytosterol and phenylpropanoid, volatile compounds, lignans and coumarins have been isolated from this genus. These secondary metabolites could be responsible for the reported antimicrobial, antimalarial, aphrodisiac, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anticancer activities exhibited by this genus. The leaves, flower, bark and root of this genus have a wide range of essential nutrients and antinutrients which are essential for normal growth and development in living organisms. Despite all findings indicating the economical, industrial and pharmacological activities of species, secondary metabolites and pharmacological potency of of this genus are not adequately documented. Therefore, bioassay-guided isolation on the extracts with proven biological activities should be prioritised in order to isolate pharmacophores with unique structural frameworks.
PubMed: 38725580
DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2024.103988 -
Natural Products and Bioprospecting May 2024Until recently, the main pharmaceuticals used to control cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) were statin-related drugs, known for their historical side... (Review)
Review
Until recently, the main pharmaceuticals used to control cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) were statin-related drugs, known for their historical side effects. Therefore, there is growing interest in exploring alternatives, such as nutritional and dietary components, that could play a central role in CVD prevention. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how natural phytosterols found in various diets combat CVDs. We begin with a description of the overall approach, then we explore in detail the different direct and indirect mechanisms that contribute to reducing cardiovascular incidents. Phytosterols, including stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, ergosterol, and fucosterol, emerge as promising molecules within nutritional systems for protection against CVDs due to their beneficial effects at different levels through direct or indirect cellular, subcellular, and molecular mechanisms. Specifically, the mentioned phytosterols exhibit the ability to diminish the generation of various radicals, including hydroperoxides and hydrogen peroxide. They also promote the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione, while inhibiting lipid peroxidation through the activation of Nrf2 and Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathways. Additionally, they demonstrate a significant inhibitory capacity in the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus playing a crucial role in regulating the inflammatory/immune response by inhibiting the expression of proteins involved in cellular signaling pathways such as JAK3/STAT3 and NF-κB. Moreover, phytosterols play a key role in reducing cholesterol absorption and improving the lipid profile. These compounds can be used as dietary supplements or included in specific diets to aid control cholesterol levels, particularly in individuals suffering from hypercholesterolemia.
PubMed: 38722432
DOI: 10.1007/s13659-024-00451-1 -
JCEM Case Reports May 2024Sitosterolemia is a rare monogenic lipid disease characterized by the excessive uptake of phytosterols and their accumulation in blood and tissues. Clinically, it can...
Sitosterolemia is a rare monogenic lipid disease characterized by the excessive uptake of phytosterols and their accumulation in blood and tissues. Clinically, it can present with hypercholesterolemia and xanthomas, often causing it to be misdiagnosed as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The diagnosis of sitosterolemia can easily be confirmed and distinguished from FH with a sterol profile and genetic investigations. Here, we report a sibship of 2 sisters with sitosterolemia initially misdiagnosed as FH. This case report illustrates the importance of considering rare conditions, such as sitosterolemia, as a differential diagnosis in patients with hypercholesterolemia, xanthomas, and hematologic anomalies. It also emphasizes the underdiagnosis of sitosterolemia and the benefits of using sterol profiles and genetic testing in the diagnostic process to initiate the appropriate therapy and avoid harm to patients.
PubMed: 38707657
DOI: 10.1210/jcemcr/luae086 -
Plant Methods May 2024Artemisia campestris L. (AC) leaves are widely recognized for their importance in traditional medicine. Despite the considerable amount of research conducted on this...
BACKGROUND
Artemisia campestris L. (AC) leaves are widely recognized for their importance in traditional medicine. Despite the considerable amount of research conducted on this plant overworld, the chemical composition and the biological activity of the leaves grown in Tunisia remains poorly investigated. In this study of AC, a successive extraction method was employed (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) to investigate its bioactive constituents by LC-MS analysis, and their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities.
RESULTS
Data analysis revealed diverse compound profiles in AC extracts. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited higher polyphenolic content and antioxidant activities, while Hexane showed superior phytosterol extraction. Ethyl acetate extract displayed potent antibacterial activity against multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, all extracts demonstrated, for the first time, robust antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Cytotoxicity assays revealed the significant impact of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts on metastatic breast cancer and multiple myeloma, examined for the first time in our study. Moreover, further analysis on multiple myeloma cells highlighted that the ethyl acetate extract induced apoptotic and necrotic cell death and resulted in an S phase cell cycle blockage, underscoring its therapeutic potential.
CONCLUSIONS
This investigation uncovers novel findings in Tunisian AC, notably the identification of lupeol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol. The study sheds light on the promising role of AC extracts in therapeutic interventions and underscores the need for continued research to harness its full potential in medicine and pharmaceutical development.
PubMed: 38698384
DOI: 10.1186/s13007-024-01185-4 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a malignant breast cancer. There is an urgent need for effective drugs to be developed for TNBC. () has been reported to have an...
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a malignant breast cancer. There is an urgent need for effective drugs to be developed for TNBC. () has been reported to have an anti-tumor effect, and six novel withanolides were isolated from it and designated as TAMEWs. However, its anti-TNBC effect is still unknown. The results of an MTT assay indicated a higher sensitivity of TNBC cells to TAMEWs compared to other cells. TAMEWs induced apoptosis via mitochondrial dysfunction. They caused increased levels of lipid ROS and Fe, with downregulation of GSH and cystine uptake, and it has been confirmed that TAMEWs induced ferroptosis. Additionally, the results of Western blotting indicate that TAMEWs significantly decrease the expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins. Through further investigation, it was found that the knockdown of the p53 gene resulted in a significant reversal of ferroptosis and the expressions of its associated proteins SLC7A11, ASCT2, and GPX4. In vivo, TAMEWs suppressed TNBC growth with no obvious damage. The IHC results also showed that TAMEWs induced apoptosis and ferroptosis in vivo. Our findings provide the first evidence that TAMEWs suppress TNBC growth through apoptosis and ferroptosis.
Topics: Ferroptosis; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms; Humans; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Withanolides; Apoptosis; Female; Amino Acid Transport System y+; Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice; Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; Reactive Oxygen Species; Cell Proliferation; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
PubMed: 38675657
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081838