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Journal of Inflammation Research 2024Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-sp ecific inflammatory disease of the colorectal mucosa. Researchers have associated UC onset with familial genetics, lifestyle... (Review)
Review
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-sp ecific inflammatory disease of the colorectal mucosa. Researchers have associated UC onset with familial genetics, lifestyle behavior, inflammatory immune factors, intestinal microbiota, and the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. The primary therapeutic interventions for UC consist of pharmacological management to control inflammation and promote mucosal healing and surgical interventions. The available drugs effectively control and decelerate the progression of UC in most patients; nonetheless, their long-term administration can exert adverse effects and influence the therapeutic effect. Plant essential oils (EOs) refer to a group of hydrophobic aromatic volatile substances. EOs have garnered considerable attention in both domestic and international research because of their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. They include peppermint, peppercorns, rosemary, and lavender, among others. Researchers have investigated the role of EOs in medicine and have elucidated their potential to mitigate the detrimental effects of UC through their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant, and anti-insomnia properties as well as their ability to regulate the intestinal flora. Furthermore, EOs exert minimal toxic adverse effects, further enhancing their appeal for therapeutic applications. However, these speculations are based on theoretical experiments, thereby warranting more clinical studies to confirm their effectiveness and safety. In this article, we aim to provide an overview of the advancements in utilizing natural medicine EOs for UC prevention and treatment. We will explore the potential pathogenesis of UC and examine the role of EOs therapy in basic research, quality stability, and management specification of inadequate EOs for UC treatment. We intend to offer novel insights into the use of EOs in UC prevention and management.
PubMed: 38836243
DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S461466 -
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases May 2024This study evaluated the potential repellent and acaricidal effects of 4 essential oils (clove, eucalyptus, lavender, and mint) against the Asian longhorned tick... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
This study evaluated the potential repellent and acaricidal effects of 4 essential oils (clove, eucalyptus, lavender, and mint) against the Asian longhorned tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, a vector of various tick-borne diseases in medical and veterinary contexts. Selected for their potential repellent and acaricidal properties, the 4 essential oils were tested on adult and nymph H. longicornis ticks at different concentrations. The experiment assessed mortality rates and repellency, particularly during tick attachment to host skin. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in tick mortality and repellency scores across all groups. At a 1% concentration, adult tick mortality ranged from 36% to 86%, while nymph mortality ranged from 6% to 97%. Clove oil exhibited notable efficacy, demonstrating high mortality rates of nymphs and adults. Clove oil also displayed strong repellency properties, with a repellency index of 0.05, surpassing those of mint, eucalyptus, and lavender oils. Clove oil showed the highest effectiveness in deterring nonattached adult ticks (90%) and nymphs (95%) when applied to skin. Clove oil was the most effective against adult and nymph ticks, achieving mortality rates of 86% and 97%, respectively, and led to the highest nonattachment rates when applied to skin. In conclusion, essential oils such as clove, eucalyptus, lavender, and mint oils present promising results for tick population control.
Topics: Animals; Oils, Volatile; Ixodidae; Acaricides; Nymph; Insect Repellents; Plant Oils; Female; Eucalyptus; Clove Oil; Lavandula; Haemaphysalis longicornis
PubMed: 38835262
DOI: 10.3347/PHD.23097 -
Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS Jun 2024Neuroinflammation is widely acknowledged as a characteristic feature of almost all neurological disorders and specifically in depression- and anxiety-like disorders. In...
BACKGROUND
Neuroinflammation is widely acknowledged as a characteristic feature of almost all neurological disorders and specifically in depression- and anxiety-like disorders. In recent years, there has been significant attention on natural compounds with potent anti-inflammatory effects due to their potential in mitigating neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity.
METHODS
In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of oleacein (OC), a rare secoiridoid derivative found in extra virgin olive oil. Our goal was to explore the BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic activity of OC and subsequently assess its potential for modulating neuroinflammatory response using human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y cells) and an in vivo model of depression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation.
RESULTS
In SH-SY5Y cells, OC exhibited a significant dose-dependent increase in BDNF expression. This enhancement was absent when cells were co-treated with inhibitors of BDNF's receptor TrkB, as well as downstream molecules PI3K and MEK. Whole-transcriptomics analysis revealed that OC upregulated cell cycle-related genes under normal conditions, while downregulating inflammation-associated genes in LPS-induced conditions. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays demonstrated that OC exhibited a stronger and more stable binding affinity to TrkB compared to the positive control, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone. Importantly, bioluminescence imaging revealed that a single oral dose of OC significantly increased BDNF expression in the brains of Bdnf-IRES-AkaLuc mice. Furthermore, oral administration of OC at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight for 10 days significantly reduced immobility time in the tail suspension test compared to the LPS-treated group. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that OC significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines Tnfα, Il6, and Il1β, while simultaneously enhancing Bdnf expression, as well as both pro and mature BDNF protein levels in mice hippocampus. These changes were comparable to those induced by the positive control antidepressant drug fluoxetine. Additionally, microarray analysis of mouse brains confirmed that OC could counteract LPS-induced inflammatory biological events.
CONCLUSION
Altogether, our study represents the first report on the potential antineuroinflammatory and antidepressant properties of OC via modulation of BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic activity. This finding underscores the potential of OC as a natural therapeutic agent for depression- and anxiety-related disorders.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Receptor, trkB; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Lipopolysaccharides; Mice; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Cell Line, Tumor; Cyclopentane Monoterpenes; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Olive Oil; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Inflammation; Aldehydes; Membrane Glycoproteins; Phenols
PubMed: 38835076
DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01691-x -
Analytica Chimica Acta Jul 2024Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a diverse group of organic compounds characterized by the fusion of two or more benzene rings arranged in various...
BACKGROUND
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a diverse group of organic compounds characterized by the fusion of two or more benzene rings arranged in various structural forms. Due to their harmful effects on human health, it is essential to implement monitoring systems and preventive measures to regulate human exposure. Given the affinity of PAHs for lipids, extensive research has been focused on their presence in vegetable oils. This study aimed to develop an on-line liquid-gas chromatography (LC-GC) method (using tandem mass spectrometry) with minimized solvent consumption for the determination of 16 PAHs in extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO).
RESULTS
A side-by-side comparison of the selected-ion-monitoring and the pseudo multiple-reaction-monitoring (p-MRM) acquisition modes was performed, in terms of specificity and detectability. The results obtained using the p-MRM mode were superior, and for this reason it was selected. The method was linear over the concentration range 1-200 μg kg (except in five cases, over 2-200 and 5-200 μg kg ranges). Accuracy (at the 2 μg kg and 20 μg kg concentration levels) was in the 86.9-109.3 % range, with an RSD <10 %. Intra-day and inter-day precision (at 2 μg kg and 20 μg kg concentration levels) were in the 1.2-9.7 % and 3.2-10.8 % ranges, respectively. For all the PAHs, a negative matrix effect was observed. Three out of sixteen PAHs were detected in three EVOOs (among ten samples), albeit at the low ppb level. Limits of quantification were satisfactory in relation to EU legislation on the presence of PAHs in vegetable oils.
SIGNIFICANCE
A dilute-and-inject LC-GC-tandem mass spectrometry method is herein proposed fulfilling EU legislation requirements; sample preparation was very simple, inasmuch that it involved only a dilution step, thus avoiding extraction, clean-up, and thus a high consumption of organic solvents. In fact, considering both oil dilution and the LC mobile phase, less than 8 mL of solvents were used.
Topics: Olive Oil; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Chromatography, Liquid
PubMed: 38834260
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342740 -
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry Jul 2024This study focuses on developing a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsion system using high-intensity ultrasound (HIU)-treated pea protein isolate (HIU-PPI) and...
This study focuses on developing a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsion system using high-intensity ultrasound (HIU)-treated pea protein isolate (HIU-PPI) and pectin to encapsulate Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum). The effects of ultrasound treatment on pea protein isolate (PPI) characteristics such as solubility, particle size, emulsification, surface hydrophobicity, and surface free sulfhydryl group were examined, determining optimal HIU processing conditions was 400 W for 10 min. The developed W/O/W double emulsion system based on HIU-PPI demonstrated effective encapsulation and protection of L. plantarum, especially at the HIU-PPI concentration of 4 %, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 52.65 %. Incorporating both HIU-PPI and pectin as emulsifiers increased the particle size and significantly enhanced the emulsion's viscosity. The highest bacterial encapsulation efficiency of the emulsion, 59.94 %, was attained at a HIU to pectin concentration ratio of 3:1. These emulsions effectively encapsulate and protect L. plantarum, with the concentration of HIU-PPI being a critical factor in enhancing probiotic survival under simulated gastrointestinal digestion. However, the concurrent utilization of pectin and HIU-PPI as emulsifiers did not provide a notable advantage compared to the exclusive use of HIU-PPI in enhancing probiotic viability during in vitro simulated digestion. This research offers valuable perspectives for the food industry on harnessing environmentally friendly, plant-based proteins as emulsifiers in probiotic delivery systems. It underscores the potential of HIU-modified pea protein and pectin in developing functional food products that promote the health benefits of probiotics.
Topics: Lactobacillus plantarum; Emulsions; Pea Proteins; Pectins; Particle Size; Water; Ultrasonic Waves; Sonication; Solubility; Probiotics; Oils; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
PubMed: 38834000
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.106936 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Jun 2024Although cancer therapy suppresses recurrence and prolongs life, it may be accompanied by strong side effects; thus, there is a strong demand for the development...
OBJECTIVE
Although cancer therapy suppresses recurrence and prolongs life, it may be accompanied by strong side effects; thus, there is a strong demand for the development effective treatments with fewer side effects. Cancer therapy using plant-derived essential oils is attracting attention as one promising method. This study investigated the antitumor effects of essential oil volatiles on breast cancer cells and identifies four essential oils that display antitumor activity.
METHODS
Breast cancer cells were cultured in a 96-well plate, then one of twenty essential oils was added dropwise to the central well. The plate was incubated at 37 °C for 48 h and the effect of the volatile components of each essential oil on the surrounding breast cancer cell growth ability was examined using an MTT assay. Gas chromatography was used to investigate the concentration of the transpiration components that may affect cancer cells.
RESULTS
Of the 20 essential oils, Lemongrass, Lemon myrtle, Litsea, and Melissa displayed strong anti-tumor effects. These essential oils inhibited the growth of nearby breast cancer cells, even when diluted more than 500-fold. The transpiration component of lemon Myrtle showed the strongest antitumor effect, but was the least cytotoxic to mononuclear cells in normal peripheral blood (PBMC). Each of these essential oils contained a very large amount of citral. The IC against breast cancer cells when citral was volatilized from each essential oil was 1.67 µL/mL for geranial and 1.31 µL/mL for neral. Volatilized citral alone showed strong anti-proliferation and infiltration-inhibiting effects.
CONCLUSION
The transpiration components of Lemongrass, Lemon myrtle, Litsea, and Melissa are thought to inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation due to their high levels of citral.
Topics: Humans; Oils, Volatile; Acyclic Monoterpenes; Breast Neoplasms; Litsea; Female; Cell Line, Tumor; Melissa; Cell Proliferation; Plant Oils; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Monoterpenes
PubMed: 38831283
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04511-4 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jun 2024Biosurfactants are in demand by the global market as natural commodities suitable for incorporation into commercial products or utilization in environmental...
Biosurfactants are in demand by the global market as natural commodities suitable for incorporation into commercial products or utilization in environmental applications. Fungi are promising producers of these molecules and have garnered interest also for their metabolic capabilities in efficiently utilizing recalcitrant and complex substrates, like hydrocarbons, plastic, etc. Within this framework, biosurfactants produced by two Fusarium solani fungal strains, isolated from plastic waste-contaminated landfill soils, were analyzed. Mycelia of these fungi were grown in the presence of 5% olive oil to drive biosurfactant production. The characterization of the emulsifying and surfactant capacity of these extracts highlighted that two different components are involved. A protein was purified and identified as a CFEM (common in fungal extracellular membrane) containing domain, revealing a good propensity to stabilize emulsions only in its aggregate form. On the other hand, an unidentified cationic smaller molecule exhibits the ability to reduce surface tension. Based on the 3D structural model of the protein, a plausible mechanism for the formation of very stable aggregates, endowed with the emulsifying ability, is proposed. KEY POINTS: • Two Fusarium solani strains are analyzed for their surfactant production. • A cationic surfactant is produced, exhibiting the ability to remarkably reduce surface tension. • An identified protein reveals a good propensity to stabilize emulsions only in its aggregate form.
Topics: Fusarium; Fungal Proteins; Surface-Active Agents; Emulsifying Agents; Soil Microbiology; Emulsions; Surface Tension; Cysteine; Olive Oil; Mycelium
PubMed: 38829381
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13182-7 -
Archives of Razi Institute Dec 2023Cloves possess antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, among other roles, they can play. This study investigated the effect of clove oil (CLO) on testicular and...
Cloves possess antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, among other roles, they can play. This study investigated the effect of clove oil (CLO) on testicular and epididymal changes induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl). A total of 25 rats were randomly assigned to five groups of five rats. Group A was allowed feed and water . Group B was given 20mg/kg of CdCl, group C was given 20mg/kg of CdCl and 10mg/kg of CLO, group D was given 20mg/kg of CdCl and 20mg/kg of CLO, and group E was given 20mg/kg of CdCl and 20mg/kg of Di Methyl Sulphur Oxide. After the experiment, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation after 24 hours of fasting. The testes and epididymis were harvested, while the right epididymis was homogenized for sperm analysis. The results revealed a significant decrease in progressive motility in group B, while a significant increase was observed in CLO-treated groups (P<0.05). In addition, group B showed a significant reduction in percentage progressive, an increase in percentage non-motile, and a decrease in sperm count. The histological studies showed that the control group displayed normal testicular and epididymal histo-architecture, while the Cadmium group (B) showed a progressive degeneration of the cells and tissues, alleviated by the high dose of CLO in both the testes and epididymis. In conclusion, the current research demonstrated that testicular and epididymal damage induced by Cadmium could decrease fertility, and CLO may be used in alleviating the deleterious effects of CdCl.
Topics: Animals; Male; Epididymis; Rats; Testis; Rats, Wistar; Clove Oil; Cadmium Chloride; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Random Allocation; Cadmium
PubMed: 38828169
DOI: 10.32592/ARI.2023.78.6.1728 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2024Although peach kernels are rich in oil, there is a lack of information about its chemical and biological properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to...
Although peach kernels are rich in oil, there is a lack of information about its chemical and biological properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the lipid profile, antioxidant capacity, and trypsin inhibitory propriety of peach oil extracted from two varieties (sweet cap and O'Henry) cultivated in Tunisia. The investigated peach kernel oil contains significant amount of unsaponifiable (2.1±0.5-2.8±0.2% of oil) and phenolic compounds (45.8±0.92-74.6±1.3 mg GAE/g of oil). Its n-alkane profile was characterized by the predominance of tetracosane n-C24 (47.24%) followed by tricosane n-C23 (34.43%). An important total tocopherol content (1192.83±3.1 mg/kg oil) has been found in sweet cap cultivar. Although rich in polyphenols and tocopherols, the tested oil did not display an inhibitory effect on trypsin. However, all peach oil samples showed effective antioxidant capacity and the highest values (86.34±1.3% and 603.50±2.6 μmol TE/g oil for DPPH test and ORAC assay, respectively) were observed for sweet cap oil. Peach oil has an excellent potential for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries as source of naturally-occurring bioactive substances.
Topics: Antioxidants; Plant Oils; Phenols; Tocopherols; Prunus persica; Trypsin Inhibitors; Polyphenols
PubMed: 38825540
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess24027 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Jul 2024Several scientific studies have warned that the ingestion of dietary lipid oxidation products (LOPs) may initiate or exacerbate the development of several chronic...
Several scientific studies have warned that the ingestion of dietary lipid oxidation products (LOPs) may initiate or exacerbate the development of several chronic non-communicable diseases in humans. Indeed, the constantly increasing consumption of culinary oils by larger global populations indicates the need for scientific techniques to suppress the evolution of LOPs in thermo-oxidised oils. This study employed a 600.13 MHz frequency NMR spectrometer in evaluating the effect of 10, 50, and 100 ppm concentrations of chemical compounds reported to have antioxidant properties in continuously-stirred and thermally stressed polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich hemp seed oil at a frying temperature of 180℃ for 180 min. Research data acquired showed that the antioxidants α- and γ-tocopherol, γ-oryzanol, β-carotene, eugenol, resveratrol, ascorbyl palmitate, gentisic acid, and L-ascorbic acid all played a vital role in suppressing the evolution of secondary aldehydic lipid oxidation products in hemp seed oil. However, the most ineffective LOP-suppressing agent was L-lysine, an observation which may be accountable by its poor oil solubility. Nonetheless, trends deduced for compounds acting as antioxidants were mainly unique for each class of agent tested. Conversely, the antioxidant capacity of resveratrol was consistently higher, and this effect was found to be independent of its added amounts. This report provides a direct approach in developing scientific methods for the suppression of LOPs in thermo-oxidatively susceptible PUFA-rich cooking oils.
Topics: Antioxidants; Plant Oils; Hot Temperature; Cannabis; Lipid Peroxidation; Cooking; Seeds; Resveratrol; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Ascorbic Acid; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38823855
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114415