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Scientific Reports Mar 2024The plants that we consume in our daily diet and use as a risk preventer against many diseases have many biological and pharmacological activities. In this study, the...
The plants that we consume in our daily diet and use as a risk preventer against many diseases have many biological and pharmacological activities. In this study, the phytochemical fingerprint and biological activities of Beta vulgaris L. leaf extract, which are widely consumed in the Black Sea region, were investigated. The leaf parts of the plant were dried in an oven at 35 °C and then ground into powder. The main constituents in B. vulgaris were identified by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS analyses. Phenolic content, betaxanthin and betacyanin levels were investigated in the extracts obtained using three different solvents. The biological activity of the extract was investigated by anti-microbial, anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative and anti-diabetic activity tests. Anti-diabetic activity was investigated by in vitro enzyme inhibition and in-silico molecular docking was performed to confirm this activity. In the LC-MS analysis of B. vulgaris extract, a major proportion of p_coumaric acid, vannilin, protecatechuic aldehyde and sesamol were detected, while the major essential oils determined by GC-MS analysis were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and phytol. Among the solvents used, the highest extraction efficiency of 2.4% was obtained in methanol extraction, and 36.2 mg of GAE/g phenolic substance, 5.1 mg/L betacyanin and 4.05 mg/L betaxanthin were determined in the methanol extract. Beta vulgaris, which exhibited broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity by forming a zone of inhibition against all tested bacteria, exhibited anti-mutagenic activity in the range of 35.9-61.8% against various chromosomal abnormalities. Beta vulgaris extract, which did not exhibit mutagenic, sub-lethal or lethal effects, exhibited anti-proliferative activity by reducing proliferation in Allium root tip cells by 21.7%. 50 mg/mL B. vulgaris extract caused 58.9% and 55.9% inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, respectively. The interactions of coumaric acid, vanniline, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and phytol, which are major compounds in phytochemical content, with α-amylase and α-glucosidase were investigated by in silico molecular docking and interactions between molecules via various amino acids were determined. Binding energies between the tested compounds and α-amylase were obtained in the range of - 4.3 kcal/mol and - 6.1 kcal/mol, while for α-glucosidase it was obtained in the range of - 3.7 kcal/mol and - 5.7 kcal/mol. The biological activities of B. vulgaris are closely related to the active compounds it contains, and therefore studies investigating the phytochemical contents of plants are very important. Safe and non-toxic plant extracts can help reduce the risk of various diseases, such as diabetes, and serve as an alternative or complement to current pharmaceutical practices.
Topics: Molecular Docking Simulation; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Methanol; Beta vulgaris; Chromatography, Liquid; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Acetone; Coumaric Acids; alpha-Glucosidases; Betacyanins; Betaxanthins; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Plant Extracts; Diabetes Mellitus; Solvents; alpha-Amylases; Phytochemicals; Phytol; Antioxidants
PubMed: 38553576
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58338-7 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024Yak whey protein concentrates (YWPCs) have good functional properties, but there is still a gap in the study of their peptides. In this study, peptides were obtained by...
Yak whey protein concentrates (YWPCs) have good functional properties, but there is still a gap in the study of their peptides. In this study, peptides were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis, and the bioactivity of each ultrafiltration fraction was evaluated using an optimal process. YWPCs were isolated and purified from yak milk as the raw material. Alkaline protease, trypsin, and papain were used to hydrolyze YWPCs. The protease with the highest degree of hydrolysis (DH) and peptide concentration was selected as the most suitable enzyme. The effects of pH, temperature, time, and the enzyme-to-substrate ratio (E/S) on the DH and peptide concentration were investigated, and response surface methodology was utilized to optimize the hydrolysis process. The hydrolysate was separated using ultrafiltration membranes with molecular weight cut-offs of 10 kDa, 5 kDa, 3 kDa, and 1 kDa. The bioactivity of each ultrafiltration component was analyzed, including the inhibition rates of α-amylase and xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities and the scavenging rates of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radicals. The results indicated that alkaline protease was the best enzyme for hydrolyzing YWPCs. The peptide concentration in the YWPC hydrolysate was the highest (17.21 mg/mL) at a pH of 8 and a concentration of 7500 U/g, after 2.5 h at 62 °C. The enzymatic hydrolysate was ultrafiltered to yield four peptide fractions, of which the <1 kDa peptides exhibited the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity (22.06%), XOD inhibitory activity (17.15%), and ABTS cationic free radical scavenging rate (69.55%). This demonstrates the potential of YWPC hydrolyzed peptides for hypoglycemic, uric acid-lowering, and antioxidant applications, providing a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of YWPCs.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Hydrolysis; Free Radical Scavengers; Whey Proteins; Antioxidants; Peptides; Papain; alpha-Amylases; Protein Hydrolysates; Sulfonic Acids; Benzothiazoles
PubMed: 38543039
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29061403 -
Nature Communications Mar 2024Even after successful extinction, conditioned fear can return. Strengthening the consolidation of the fear-inhibitory safety memory formed during extinction is one way...
Even after successful extinction, conditioned fear can return. Strengthening the consolidation of the fear-inhibitory safety memory formed during extinction is one way to counteract return of fear. In a previous study, we found that post-extinction L-DOPA administration improved extinction memory retrieval 24 h later. Furthermore, spontaneous post-extinction reactivations of a neural activation pattern evoked in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) during extinction predicted extinction memory retrieval, L-DOPA increased the number of these reactivations, and this mediated the effect of L-DOPA on extinction memory retrieval. Here, we conducted a preregistered replication study of this work in healthy male participants. We confirm that spontaneous post-extinction vmPFC reactivations predict extinction memory retrieval. This predictive effect, however, was only observed 90 min after extinction, and was not statistically significant at 45 min as in the discovery study. In contrast to our previous study, we find no evidence that L-DOPA administration significantly enhances retrieval and that this is mediated by enhancement of the number of vmPFC reactivations. However, additional non-preregistered analyses reveal a beneficial effect of L-DOPA on extinction retrieval when controlling for the trait-like stable baseline levels of salivary alpha-amylase enzymatic activity. Further, trait salivary alpha-amylase negatively predicts retrieval, and this effect is reduced by L-DOPA treatment. Importantly, the latter findings result from non-preregistered analyses and thus further investigation is needed.
Topics: Humans; Male; Dopamine; Levodopa; Salivary alpha-Amylases; Extinction, Psychological; Memory; Prefrontal Cortex
PubMed: 38538636
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46936-y -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024Childhood adversity, a prevalent experience, is related to a higher risk for externalizing and internalizing psychopathology. Alterations in the development of cognitive...
Childhood adversity, a prevalent experience, is related to a higher risk for externalizing and internalizing psychopathology. Alterations in the development of cognitive processes, for example in the attention-interference domain may link childhood adversity and psychopathology. Interfering stimuli can vary in their salience, i.e. ability to capture attentional focus, and valence. However, it is not known if interference by salience or valence is associated with self-reported adversity. In two independent study samples of healthy men (Study 1: n = 44; mean age [standard deviation (SD)] = 25.9 [3.4] years; Study 2: n = 37; 43.5 [9.7] years) we used the attention modulation task (AMT) that probed interference by two attention-modulating conditions, salience and valence separately across repeated target stimuli. The AMT measures the effects of visual distractors (pictures) on the performance of auditory discrimination tasks (target stimuli). We hypothesized that participants reporting higher levels of childhood adversity, measured with the childhood trauma questionnaire, would show sustained interference in trials with lower salience. Due to conflicting reports on the valence-modulation, we tested the valence condition in an exploratory manner. Linear mixed models revealed an interaction between reported childhood adversity and the salience condition across tone presentations in both study samples (Sample 1: p = .03; Sample 2: p = .04), while there were no effects for the valence condition across both studies. Our study suggests that higher self-reported childhood adversity is related to faster processing of target cues during high salience, but slower during low salience conditions. These results hint to the mechanisms linking childhood adversity and psychopathological symptoms in the attentional domain.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Self Report; Attention; Psychopathology; Psychological Tests
PubMed: 38528096
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57025-x -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2024The importance of medicinal plants for the treatment of different diseases is high from the aspects of the pharmaceutical industry and traditional healers. The present...
The importance of medicinal plants for the treatment of different diseases is high from the aspects of the pharmaceutical industry and traditional healers. The present study involves nine different medicinal plants, namely, and collected from Chitwan district of Nepal for biochemical analysis followed by the isolation of active plant fractions from the bioactive plant extract. The methanolic extracts of roots, barks, seeds, seed cover, and the other aerial parts of plants were used for the phytochemical analysis and biological activities. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay was adopted to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. The antidiabetic activity was studied by the -amylase enzyme inhibition assay. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in extracts of followed by , , , with IC values of 27.38 ± 1.35, 32.08 ± 2.81, 32.75 ± 2.13, 33.82 ± 1.07, 40.14 ± 0.93, and 50.44 ± 3.75 g/mL, respectively. The highest antidiabetic activity was observed in extracts of followed by with IC values of 95.69 ± 6.97, 99.24 ± 12.6, and 106.3 ± 12.89 g/mL, respectively. The mild -amylase enzyme inhibition was found in extracts of showing IC values of 110.4 ± 7.78, 115.98 ± 10.24, 149.83 ± 8.3, and 196.45 ± 6.04 g/mL, whereas (seed cover), (seed), and showed weak -amylase inhibition with IC values of 208.87 ± 1.76, 215.41 ± 2.09, and 238.89 ± 9.27 g/mL, respectively. The extract of showed high zones of inhibition against (ATCC 25923) and (ATCC 25922) of ZOI 26 and 22 mm, respectively. The chemical constituents isolated from the active plant were subjected to GCMS analysis where the major chemical compounds were 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid and methyl ester. These results support the partial scientific validation for the traditional uses of these medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes and infectious diseases by the people living in different communities of Chitwan, Nepal.
Topics: Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Nepal; Antioxidants; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Plant Extracts; Oleaceae; Hypoglycemic Agents; alpha-Amylases
PubMed: 38515931
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5080176 -
Heliyon Mar 2024Amylases are enzymes that are known to hydrolyze starch. High efficiency of amylolytic enzymes allows them to compete in the industry with the technology of chemical...
Amylases are enzymes that are known to hydrolyze starch. High efficiency of amylolytic enzymes allows them to compete in the industry with the technology of chemical hydrolysis of starch. A strain with high amylolytic activity was isolated from soil and designated as T5. The gene encoding α-amylase from T5 was successfully expressed in both (rAmyT5-E) and (as rAmyT5-P). According to the study, the recombinant α-amylases rAmyT5-E and rAmyT5-P exhibited the highest activity at pH 6.0 and temperatures of 70 and 80 °C, respectively. Over 80% of the rAmyT5-E enzyme activity was preserved following incubation within the pH range of 5-9; the same was true for rAmyT5-P after incubation at pH 6-9. N-glycosylation reduced the thermal and pH stability of the enzyme. The specific activity and catalytic efficiency of the recombinant AmyT5 α-amylase were also diminished by N-glycosylation.
PubMed: 38515717
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28064 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Jun 2024The endogenous cannabinoid (ECB) system is a small molecule lipid signalling system that is involved in stress response activation and is associated with PTSD, but it is...
The endogenous cannabinoid (ECB) system is a small molecule lipid signalling system that is involved in stress response activation and is associated with PTSD, but it is unclear whether salivary ECBs are part of the sympathetic nervous system response to stress. We conducted an adapted trauma film paradigm, where participants completed a cold pressor test (or control) while watching a 10-minute trauma film. We also collected saliva and hair samples and tested them for ECBs, cortisol, and salivary alpha amylase (sAA). As hypothesised, there were significant positive correlations between sAA activity and salivary ECB levels, particularly 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), though ECBs were not correlated with sAA stress reactivity. Participants who had a significant cortisol response to the trauma film/stressor reported less intrusive memories, which were also less distressing and less vivid. This effect was moderated by arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA), where decreases in AEA post-stress were associated with more intrusive memories in cortisol non-responders only. This study provides new evidence for the role of ECBs in the sympathetic nervous system.
Topics: Humans; Hydrocortisone; Salivary alpha-Amylases; Endocannabinoids; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Saliva; Arachidonic Acids
PubMed: 38503195
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107007 -
The Veterinary Quarterly Dec 2024Pancreatic alpha amylase (P-AMY) is used as a biomarker of acute pancreatitis (AP) in human medicine. To our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating the usefulness of...
Pancreatic alpha amylase (P-AMY) is used as a biomarker of acute pancreatitis (AP) in human medicine. To our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating the usefulness of P-AMY in dogs with AP. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic value of P-AMY, currently not verified in veterinary medicine. The AP group ( = 40) consisted of dogs with AP diagnosed using clinical signs and laboratory examinations, including abnormal canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) concentration, and compatible abdominal ultrasound examination at first presentation. Evaluation of the canine AP severity (CAPS) score was performed. The control group ( = 38) was composed of normal dogs without any abnormalities in clinical findings, blood exams or diagnostic imaging. The correlation of P-AMY with cPL was confirmed by Pearson's correlation analysis ( = 0.564, < .001). The sensitivity and specificity for the most appropriate cut-off values of P-AMY were recorded similar to the values of DGGR. The dogs with AP and CAPS ≥11 had significantly higher serum P-AMY ( = .016) contrary to DGGR lipase and cPL. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the median P-AMY dependent on the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome ( = .001). P-AMY showed similar level of diagnostic accuracy along with sensitivity and specificity compared to DGGR lipase. In addition, P-AMY showed a significant association with CAPS score, contrary to cPL and DGGR lipase. Along with other biomarkers associated with AP, P-AMY has the potential of usefulness as a supportive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of AP in dogs.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Humans; Pancreatitis; Pilot Projects; Pancreatic alpha-Amylases; Acute Disease; Dog Diseases; Lipase; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38497337
DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2024.2326007 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024is a wild, perennial woody plant used for diverse therapeutic targets. The present work evaluated the influence of independent variables such as extraction time,...
is a wild, perennial woody plant used for diverse therapeutic targets. The present work evaluated the influence of independent variables such as extraction time, solvent concentration, and speed in the range of (100 mL, 150 mL, and 200 mL), (2 h, 5 h, and 8 h), and (100 rpm, 150 rpm, and 200 rpm), respectively, on extraction yields, phytochemical components, total phenolic contents (TPC), and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of extract. In the present work, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction yield. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to detect the bioactive constituents of the extracts. The potent extracts were analyzed to study α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Under the optimized conditions of solvent concentration (200 mL), extraction time (8 h), and speed (150 rpm), the whole plant methanol extract (WPME) showed a maximum extraction yield of 13.5%, while the leaves methanol extract (LME) showed a maximum TPC of 19.5 ± 44 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of extract and a maximum TFC of 4.78 ± 0.34 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per gram of extract. HPLC analysis showed the presence of p-coumaric, gallic acid, quercetin, salicylic acid, sinapic acid, and vanillic acid. LME showed the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC = 46.86 ± 0.21 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC value of 45.81 ± 0.17 µg/mL). Therefore, in conclusion, LME could be considered to fix the α-amylase and α-glucosidase-mediated disorders in the human body to develop herbal phytomedicine.
Topics: Humans; Phlomis; Quercetin; Methanol; alpha-Glucosidases; Plant Extracts; Solvents; alpha-Amylases; Phytochemicals; Gallic Acid; Antioxidants; Flavonoids
PubMed: 38474560
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051049 -
Vaccine Apr 2024Vaccination is an essential preventative medical intervention, but needle fearandinjection painmay result in vaccination hesistancy. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Vaccination is an essential preventative medical intervention, but needle fearandinjection painmay result in vaccination hesistancy.
STUDY PURPOSE
To assess the role of magic tricks - no trick vs. one trick ("disappearing handkerchief trick") vs. three tricks ("disappearing handkerchief trick", "jumping rubber band trick", and "disappearing ring trick") - performed by a professional magician and pediatrician during routine vaccination in reducing discomfort/pain and the stress response (heart rate, visual analogue scale (VAS), and biomarkers (cortisol, Immunoglobulin A (IgA), α-amylase, and overall protein concentration in saliva before and after vaccination).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Randomized controlled trial (RCT) in healthy children aged 6-11 years undergoing routine vaccination in an outpatient setting.
RESULTS
50 children (26 female) were enrolled (no trick: n = 17, 1 trick: n = 16, 3 tricks: n = 17) with a median age of 6.9 years (range: 5.3-10.8 years). We detected no significant differences among the three groups in their stress reponse (heart rate before and after vaccination and cortisol, IgA, α-amylase, and overall protein concentrations in saliva before and after vaccination) or regarding pain assessment using the VAS.
CONCLUSIONS
Although children undergoing routine outpatient vaccination appeared to enjoy a magician's presence, the concomitant performance of magic tricks revealed no significant effect on the stress response.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; alpha-Amylases; Hydrocortisone; Immunoglobulin A; Magic; Pain; Male
PubMed: 38472068
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.03.021