-
Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical... 2024Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are pathological conditions initiated by the loss of neuronal cell structure and the progressive decline in function caused by prolonged...
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are pathological conditions initiated by the loss of neuronal cell structure and the progressive decline in function caused by prolonged neuroinflammation. Postmenopausal women are at a high risk of experiencing NDs due to estrogen deficiency in their bodies, necessitating the administration of phytoestrogens as a replacement for estrogen in the body. One alternative therapy is administering phytoestrogens, estrogen-like substances from plants, which can be obtained from C. Presl. leaves. The purpose of this study was to determine whether administration of the n-butanol fraction (BF) and water fraction (WF) of leaves could increase locomotor activity in rotenone-induced zebrafish. Treatment was given to each group of zebrafish with BF and WF at doses of 2.5; 5; 10; and 20 ppm to determine the locomotor activity. Then an analysis was carried out by looking at each movement of the zebrafish swimming for 1 min at the time of observation on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. The result showed that BF and WF significantly increased the locomotor activity of zebrafish at the optimum dose of 20 ppm for BF and 5 ppm for WF compared to the negative control. This concludes that the polar fraction of leaves is proven to have the potential to prevent ND progressivity.
PubMed: 38903546
DOI: 10.4103/japtr.japtr_241_23 -
Nutrients May 2024Rice bean [ (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi], an annual legume in the genus , is a promising crop suitable for cultivation in a changing climate to ensure food security. It is...
Rice bean [ (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi], an annual legume in the genus , is a promising crop suitable for cultivation in a changing climate to ensure food security. It is also a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine; however, little is known about the medicinal compounds in rice bean. In this study, we assessed the diuretic effect of rice bean extracts on mice as well as its relationship with the contents of eight secondary metabolites in seeds. Mice gavaged with rice bean extracts from yellow and black seeds had higher urinary output (5.44-5.47 g) and water intake (5.8-6.3 g) values than mice gavaged with rice bean extracts from red seeds. Correlation analyses revealed significant negative correlations between urine output and gallic acid (R = -0.70) and genistein (R = -0.75) concentrations, suggesting that these two polyphenols negatively regulate diuresis. There were no obvious relationships between mice diuresis-related indices (urine output, water intake, and weight loss) and rutin or catechin contents, although the concentrations of both of these polyphenols in rice bean seeds were higher than the concentrations of the other six secondary metabolites. Our study findings may be useful for future research on the diuretic effects of rice bean, but they should be confirmed on the basis of systematic medical trials.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Diuretics; Seeds; Polyphenols; Male; Plant Extracts; Vigna; Gallic Acid; Genistein; Catechin; Rutin; Diuresis
PubMed: 38892535
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111603 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study is the first to report on the presence of oestrogenic compounds in different clover flower nectar samples, in bee-deposited nectars collected from hive combs...
This study is the first to report on the presence of oestrogenic compounds in different clover flower nectar samples, in bee-deposited nectars collected from hive combs (unripe honey) and in mature honeys harvested from the same hives. The clover species investigated were two red clover () cultivars, bred specifically for high isoflavone content, alongside a sainfoin () and a purple clover () cultivar. A total of eight isoflavones, four of them non-glycosidic (biochanin A, formononetin, genistein and daidzein) the others glycosidic (sissotrin, ononin, genistin and daidzin), were targeted for identification and quantification in this study using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Leaves and flower bracts of the clover samples were also investigated. Different isoflavone profiles were found across the four clover species and also in the different samples collected from each species indicating that, most likely due to the activity of honeybee () salivary enzymes, biochemical conversions take place when these bioactive compounds transition from flower nectar into ripe honey. Among the four investigated clover species, the two red clover cultivars, including their honeys, were found to contain higher levels of estrogenic compounds compared to other two cultivars.
PubMed: 38890968
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111739 -
Cureus May 2024Resistance exercise training (RET) can increase muscle mass and strength, and this adaptation is optimized when dietary protein is consumed to enhance muscle protein...
INTRODUCTION
Resistance exercise training (RET) can increase muscle mass and strength, and this adaptation is optimized when dietary protein is consumed to enhance muscle protein synthesis. Dairy milk has been endorsed for this purpose; however, allergy and lactose intolerance affect two-thirds of the global population making dairy milk unsuitable for many. Plant-based alternatives such as soy milk have gained popularity and exhibit comparable protein content. However, concerns regarding soy phytoestrogens potentially influencing circulating sex hormones and diminishing the anabolic response to RET have been raised. This study therefore aimed to assess the acute effects of dairy and soy milk consumption on circulating sex hormones (total, free testosterone, free testosterone percentage, total estrogen, progesterone, and sex hormone binding globulin) after RET.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Six male participants were recruited for a double-blinded, randomized crossover study with either dairy or soy milk provided post RET. Venous samples were collected before and after milk consumption across seven timepoints (0-120 minutes) where circulating sex hormones were analyzed. Two-way ANOVA analyses were applied for repeated measures for each hormone. The area under the curve (AUC) was also calculated between dairy and soy milk. Significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS
No significant differences were observed in acute circulating serum for free (p=0.95), % free (p=0.56), and total testosterone (p=0.88), progesterone (p=0.67), or estrogen (p=0.21) between milk conditions. Likewise, no significant differences in AUC were observed between any hormones.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that consumption of dairy milk and soy milk have comparable acute effects on circulating sex hormones following RET. Further investigations with expanded sample sizes are needed to strengthen and broaden these initial findings.
PubMed: 38854281
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59972 -
Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal May 2024This study aimed to compare the effects of green cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and nettle (Urtica dioica L.) oral drops on the indicators of breast milk adequacy in lactating... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to compare the effects of green cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and nettle (Urtica dioica L.) oral drops on the indicators of breast milk adequacy in lactating mothers. Due to the presence of phytoestrogens in the combinations of cumin and nettle, it is stipulated that they may have milk-increasing properties.
METHODS
A triple-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 117 lactating mothers who had given birth to healthy infants aged 10-15 days and who received cumin oral drops (n = 39), nettle oral drops (n = 39) or placebo (n = 39) from August 2020 to March 2021. The participants were recruited from a regional public health care centre affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. The 3 study groups received 15 drops thrice a day for 4 weeks. Infant weight, breastfeeding frequency, number of wet diapers, diaper weight and frequency of infant defecation were evaluated before and after the intervention.
RESULTS
At the beginning of the trial, no statistically significant differences were observed between the 3 groups for infant weight ( = 0.891), breastfeeding frequency ( = 0.921), number of wet diapers ( = 0.783), diaper weight ( = 0.841) and frequency of infant defecation ( = 0.898). However, following the intervention, the mean scores of all indicators were significantly higher in the experimental groups than in the placebo group ( <0.001). In addition, all the indicators in the cumin group increased significantly compared to those in the nettle group ( <0.001).
CONCLUSION
Considering the effectiveness of cumin and nettle drops in increasing milk and the availability of these native plants in Iran, it is suggested that they, especially cumin, be used postpartum to increase breast milk production.
Topics: Humans; Iran; Female; Cuminum; Milk, Human; Adult; Infant, Newborn; Breast Feeding; Lactation; Mothers; Infant
PubMed: 38828258
DOI: 10.18295/squmj.3.2024.022 -
Heliyon May 2024Members of the genus, a crop in the Zingiberaceae, are widely utilized rhizomatous herbs globally. There are two distinct species, Roxb. and Roscoe, referred to the...
Members of the genus, a crop in the Zingiberaceae, are widely utilized rhizomatous herbs globally. There are two distinct species, Roxb. and Roscoe, referred to the same vernacular name "Wan Chak Motluk" in Thai. holds economic importance and is extensively used as a Thai traditional medicine due to its phytoestrogenic properties. However, its morphology closely resembles that of , which contains zederone, a compound known for its hepatotoxic effects. They are often confused, which may affect the quality, efficacy and safety of the derived herbal materials. Thus, DNA markers were developed for discriminating from . This study focused on analyzing core DNA barcode regions, including L, K, A-H spacer and ITS2, of the authentic and species. As a result, no variable nucleotides in core DNA barcode regions were observed. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome was introduced to differentiate between the two species. The comparison revealed that the cp genomes of and were 162,272 and 162,289 bp, respectively, with a total of 133 identified genes. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that and exhibited a very close relationship with other species. The cp genome of and were identified for the first time, providing valuable insights for species identification and evolutionary research within the Zingiberaceae family.
PubMed: 38813184
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31248 -
Nutrients May 2024Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a symbol of the Mediterranean diet, constituting its primary source of fat. The beneficial effect of EVOO is strictly related to the... (Review)
Review
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a symbol of the Mediterranean diet, constituting its primary source of fat. The beneficial effect of EVOO is strictly related to the presence of fatty acids and polyphenols, bioactive compounds endowed with nutraceutical properties. Among EVOO polyphenols, lignans possess a steroid-like chemical structure and are part of the phytoestrogen family, which is renowned for its health properties. The natural lignans (+)-pinoresinol and 1-acetoxypinoresinol (1-AP) are commonly present in olives and in EVOO. Although (+)-pinoresinol is found in different edible plants, such as flaxseed, beans, whole-grain cereals, sesame seeds, and certain vegetables and fruit, 1-AP was exclusively identified in olives in 2000. So far, the scientific literature has extensively covered different aspects of (+)-pinoresinol, including its isolation and nutraceutical properties. In contrast, less is known about the olive lignan 1-AP. Therefore, this review aimed to comprehensively evaluate the more important aspects of 1-AP, collecting all the literature from 2016 to the present, exploring its distribution in different cultivars, analytical isolation and purification, and nutraceutical properties.
Topics: Lignans; Olea; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Olive Oil; Fruit; Furans
PubMed: 38794712
DOI: 10.3390/nu16101474 -
Pharmaceutics May 2024Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare disease characterized by the development of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum already in adolescence. If left... (Review)
Review
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare disease characterized by the development of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum already in adolescence. If left untreated, patients develop colorectal cancer (CRC) with a 100% probability. To date, the gold standard of FAP management is surgery, which is associated with morbidity and mortality. A chemopreventive agent capable of delaying, preventing and reversing the development of CRC has been sought. Several classes of drugs have been used but to date no chemopreventive drug has been found for the management of this disease. In recent years, the importance of estrogen receptors in FAP and CRC, particularly the β subtype, has emerged. Indeed, the expression of the latter is strongly reduced in adenomatous polyps and CRC and is inversely correlated with the aggressiveness of the disease. Since phytoestrogens have a high affinity for this receptor, they have been suggested for use as chemopreventive agents in FAP and CRC. A combination of phytoestrogens and insoluble fibres has proved particularly effective. In this review, the various mechanisms of action of phytoestrogens were analyzed and the effectiveness of using phytoestrogens as an effective chemopreventive strategy was discussed.
PubMed: 38794302
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050640 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024The most common malignancy in women is breast cancer. During the development of cancer, oncogenic transcription factors facilitate the overproduction of inflammatory... (Review)
Review
The most common malignancy in women is breast cancer. During the development of cancer, oncogenic transcription factors facilitate the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. Antiapoptotic proteins are markedly upregulated in cancer cells, which promotes tumor development, metastasis, and cell survival. Promising findings have been found in studies on the cell cycle-mediated apoptosis pathway for medication development and treatment. Dietary phytoconstituents have been studied in great detail for their potential to prevent cancer by triggering the body's defense mechanisms. The underlying mechanisms of action may be clarified by considering the role of polyphenols in important cancer signaling pathways. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, lignans, lignins, naphthoquinones, anthraquinones, xanthones, and stilbenes are examples of natural chemicals that are being studied for potential anticancer drugs. These substances are also vital for signaling pathways. This review focuses on innovations in the study of polyphenol genistein's effects on breast cancer cells and presents integrated chemical biology methods to harness mechanisms of action for important therapeutic advances.
Topics: Humans; Genistein; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Signal Transduction; Apoptosis; Animals; Polyphenols
PubMed: 38791595
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105556 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2024Flaxseed is the richest source of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, which is converted by ruminal microorganisms primarily to the mammalian lignan enterolactone. Our...
Supplementing flaxseed meal with sucrose, flaxseed oil, or both: Effect on milk enterolactone, ruminal microbiota profile, production performance, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.
Flaxseed is the richest source of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, which is converted by ruminal microorganisms primarily to the mammalian lignan enterolactone. Our objective was to investigate the effect of diets containing soybean meal or flaxseed meal (FM) supplemented with sucrose, flaxseed oil, or both on milk enterolactone concentration and yield, diversity and relative abundance of ruminal bacterial taxa, ruminal fermentation profile, production performance, milk fatty acid (FA) yield, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows. Sixteen Holstein cows [8 multiparous (4 ruminally-cannulated) and 8 primiparous] averaging (mean ± SD) 134 ± 54.1 DIM and 679 ± 78.9 kg of BW in the beginning of the study were assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 25 d with 18 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection. Diets were formulated to contain a 60:40 forage:concentrate ratio and included (DM basis): 1) 8% soybean meal and 23% ground corn (SBM), 2) 15% FM, 10.7% ground corn, and 5% sucrose (FLX+S), 3) 15% FM, 15.4% ground corn, and 3% flaxseed oil (FLX+O), and 4) 15% FM, 10.2% ground corn, 5% sucrose, and 3% flaxseed oil (FLX+SO). Compared with SBM, the concentration and yield of milk enterolactone increased in cows fed the FM diets, but did not differ among FLX+S, FLX+O, and FLX+SO. The relative abundances of the phyla Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobiota, and Actinobacteriota and those of the bacterial genera Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Anaeromusa-Anaeroarcus, WCHB1-41, and p-251-o5 decreased, whereas Prevotella and NK4A214 group increased when comparing SBM against at least 1 diet containing FM. Furthermore, the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota and those of Prevotella, Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Acetitomaculum, Lachnospiraceae unclassified, NK4A214 group, and Anaeromusa-Anaeroarcus changed (increased or decreased) across the FLX+S, FLX+O, and FLX+SO diets. However, all these changes in the relative abundance of the ruminal bacterial taxa were not conclusively associated with the effect of diets on milk enterolactone. Diets did not affect ruminal pH and concentrations of NH-N and total VFA. Dry matter intake and yields of milk, milk fat, and milk true protein all decreased in cows fed FLX+O or FLX+SO. Yields of milk total odd-chain FA, branched-chain FA, total < 16C FA, and total 16C FA all decreased with feeding FLX+O and FLX+SO. The apparent total-tract digestibilities of DM and OM were lowest in the FLX+S and FLX+O diets, with CP and ADF digestibilities lowest in cows receiving FLX+S or FLX+O, respectively. Urinary excretion of total N was lowest with feeding SBM. Contrarily, diets did not affect the urinary excretion of total purine derivatives. In brief, despite the effect of diets on the relative abundance of several ruminal microbiota phyla and genera, we were unable to conclusively associate these changes with increased milk enterolactone in FM-containing diets versus SBM.
PubMed: 38762110
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24649