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Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The psychedelic beverage ayahuasca is originally obtained by () (BC) and () (PV). However, sometimes these plant species are replaced by others that mimic the original...
The psychedelic beverage ayahuasca is originally obtained by () (BC) and () (PV). However, sometimes these plant species are replaced by others that mimic the original effects, such as () (MH) and () (PH). Its worldwide consumption and the number of studies on its potential therapeutic effects has increased. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer properties of ayahuasca in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Thus, the maximum inhibitory concentration (IC) of decoctions of MH, PH, and a mixture of these (MHPH) was determined. The activities of caspases 3 and 9 were evaluated, and the cell proliferation index was determined through immunocytochemical analysis (Ki-67). Two fluorescent probes were used to evaluate the production of oxidative stress and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was also evaluated. It was demonstrated that exposure to the extracts significantly induced apoptosis in Caco-2 cells, while decreasing cell proliferation. MH and MHPH samples significantly reduced oxidative stress and significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity. No significant differences were found in SOD activity. Overall, it was demonstrated that the decoctions have a potential anticancer activity in Caco-2 cells.
PubMed: 38931386
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060719 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Statins function beyond regulating cholesterol and, when administered systemically, can promote wound healing. However, studies have yet to explore the topical use of...
Statins function beyond regulating cholesterol and, when administered systemically, can promote wound healing. However, studies have yet to explore the topical use of statins for wound healing. The present study demonstrated the topical administration of SIM and aimed to formulate, evaluate, and optimize Simvastatin (SIM)-encapsulated liposome gel carrier systems to facilitate successful topical wound healing. Liposomes containing SIM were formulated and optimized via a response surface methodology (RSM) using the thin-film hydration method. The effects of formulation variables, including the 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammoniumpropan (DOTAP) concentration, Span 80 concentration, and cholesterol concentration, on zeta potential (mV), entrapment efficacy (%), and particle size (nm) were studied. The optimized liposome formulation (F-07) exhibited a zeta potential value of 16.56 ± 2.51 mV, revealing robust stability and a high SIM encapsulation efficiency of 95.6 ± 4.2%, whereas its particle size of 190.3 ± 3.3 nm confirmed its stability and structural integrity. The optimized liposome gel demonstrated pseudoplastic flow behavior. This property is advantageous in topical drug delivery systems because of its ease of application, improved spreadability, and enhanced penetration, demonstrating prolonged SIM release. The assessment of the wound healing efficacy of the optimized liposomal gel formulation demonstrated a substantial decrease in wound size in mice on the sixteenth day post-wounding. These findings suggest that the use of liposomal gels is a potential drug delivery strategy for incorporating SIM, thereby augmenting its effectiveness in promoting wound healing.
PubMed: 38931364
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060697 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Allergic dermatitis is a skin disease with growing prevalence worldwide that has been associated with diets high in fats and sugars. Regular consumption of...
Allergic dermatitis is a skin disease with growing prevalence worldwide that has been associated with diets high in fats and sugars. Regular consumption of sucrose-containing beverages may increase the risk for several health problems, including allergic diseases and particularly asthma, but the association between sucrose consumption and allergic dermatitis is understudied. We investigated the effects of sucrose solution intake on allergic contact dermatitis in rats and found early exacerbation of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced disease symptoms and altered composition of the gut microbiota after 14 d of intake. The levels of short-chain fatty acids-produced by fermentation by the intestinal microbiota-were not affected in the cecal contents and feces but decreased in the blood; this effect was especially notable for acetate. To restore blood acetate concentrations, triacetin was mixed with a 10% sucrose solution and fed to the rat model. This strategy prevented the early exacerbation of DNFB-induced symptoms. The decreased absorption of short-chain fatty acids from the intestinal lumen was not linked to the decreased expression of short-chain fatty acid transporters in the small intestine; instead, the mechanism involves a reduction in the sodium concentration in the intestinal lumen due to increased expression of sodium-glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1).
Topics: Animals; Dinitrofluorobenzene; Rats; Male; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sucrose; Disease Models, Animal; Acetates; Dietary Sucrose
PubMed: 38931315
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121962 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Influenza, a severe respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus, has long been a prominent threat to human health. An increasing number of studies have...
Influenza, a severe respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus, has long been a prominent threat to human health. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that oral administration with probiotics may increase the immune response to lung infection via the gut-lung axis leading to the alleviation of the pulmonary disease. In this study, we evaluated the effects of oral administration of MIANGUAN2 (MIANGUAN2) on influenza infection in a mouse model. Our results showed that oral administration of MIANGUAN2 significantly improved weight loss, lung index, and lung pathology, and decreased lung viral load of influenza-infected mice. Additionally, MIANGUAN2-treated mice showed significantly lower levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and IL-12p70 and higher production of IL-4 in the lung. In accordance with this, the transcriptome analysis of the lung indicated that MIANGUAN2-treated mice had reduced expression of inflammation markers, such as TNF, apoptosis, and the NF-Kappa B pathway. Furthermore, the administration of MIANGUAN2 restored the SCFAs profiles through regulating the gut microbiota. SCFA-producing bacteria, such as p_Firmicutes, f_Lachnospiraceae, and f_Ruminococcaceae, were enriched in the MIANGUAN2-treated group compared with PBS-treated group. Consistently, the concentrations of SCFAs in the MIANGUAN2 group were significantly higher than those in the PBS-treated group. In addition, the concentrations of SCFAs were positively correlated with SCFA-producing bacteria, such as , while being negatively correlated with the virial titers and proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, this animal study suggests that MIANGUAN2 may alleviate the influenza infection by altering the gut microbiota composition and increasing the levels of gut microbiota-derived SCFAs.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Pediococcus pentosaceus; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Mice; Probiotics; Lung; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Disease Models, Animal; Cytokines; Male
PubMed: 38931277
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121923 -
Nutrients Jun 2024The objective was to investigate associations of serum vitamin D concentration with depressive symptoms and assess the impact that vitamin D concentration has on the...
Low Vitamin D Concentration Is Associated with Increased Depression Risk in Adults 20-44 Years Old, an NHANES 2007-2018 Data Analysis with a Focus on Perinatal and Breastfeeding Status.
The objective was to investigate associations of serum vitamin D concentration with depressive symptoms and assess the impact that vitamin D concentration has on the occurrence of depressive symptoms in 20-44-year-old pregnant women, postpartum women, non-pp women (non-pregnant/postpartum women), and men, including a separate subgroup analysis of postpartum breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women. The study populations were selected from the 2007-2018 NHANES public data. Subjective interview data and objective laboratory data including depressive symptoms, serum vitamin D concentration, nutrient intake, and demographic information were utilized. Two diet patterns were created using principal component analysis, and a Bayesian multinomial model was fit to predict the depression outcomes for each subpopulation. The estimates for the log vitamin D slope parameter were negative for all cohorts; as vitamin D increased, the probability of having no depression increased, while the probability of depression decreased. The pregnant cohort had the steepest vitamin D slope, followed by postpartum women, then non-pp women and men. Higher vitamin D concentration had more impact on decreasing depression risk in pregnant and postpartum women compared to non-pp women and men. Among postpartum women, higher vitamin D concentration had a greater influence on decreasing breastfeeding women's depression risk than non-breastfeeding women.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Breast Feeding; Pregnancy; Vitamin D; Depression; Nutrition Surveys; Male; Young Adult; Postpartum Period; Vitamin D Deficiency; Risk Factors; Depression, Postpartum; Bayes Theorem
PubMed: 38931229
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121876 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Chronic sleep disturbance affects daily functioning, leading to decreased concentration, fatigue, and higher healthcare costs. Traditional insomnia medications are often...
Chronic sleep disturbance affects daily functioning, leading to decreased concentration, fatigue, and higher healthcare costs. Traditional insomnia medications are often associated with adverse side effects. This study investigated the efficacy of a novel compound derived from and extracts (named RNE) in improving sleep quality with fewer side effects. The study included individuals between the ages of 20 and 65 with subthreshold insomnia and evaluated the effects of RNE on sleep, fatigue, and quality of life. Participants took 750 mg of RNE daily at bed-time for two weeks. The study used the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a sleep diary, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for assessments. Of the 20 participants, 13 completed the study and showed significant improvements in sleep quality. The results showed improvements in ISI and PSQI scores, a 57% reduction in wake-time after sleep onset, and improved sleep efficiency. Although FSS scores remained unchanged, significant improvements were seen in SF-36 physical and mental health scores. The results suggest that RNE is an effective, low-risk option for sleep disturbance, significantly improving sleep quality and overall wellbeing without significant side effects.
Topics: Humans; Rhodiola; Adult; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Plant Extracts; Sleep Quality; Quality of Life; Nelumbo; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Young Adult; Fatigue; Aged; Sleep Wake Disorders; Sleep
PubMed: 38931222
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121867 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Chronic kidney disease increases uremic toxins concentrations, which have been associated with intestinal dysbiosis. L. Moench has dietary fiber and bioactive... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
A Symbiotic Meal Containing Extruded Sorghum and Probiotic () Ameliorated Intestinal Health Markers in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Secondary Analysis of a Subsample from a Previous Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial.
BACKGROUND
Chronic kidney disease increases uremic toxins concentrations, which have been associated with intestinal dysbiosis. L. Moench has dietary fiber and bioactive compounds, while can promote beneficial health effects.
METHODS
It is a controlled, randomized, and single-blind clinical trial. Thirty-nine subjects were randomly separated into two groups: symbiotic group (SG), which received 100 mL of unfermented probiotic milk with strain and 40 g of extruded sorghum flakes; and the control group (CG), which received 100 mL of pasteurized milk and 40 g of extruded corn flakes for seven weeks.
RESULTS
The uremic toxins decreased, and gastrointestinal symptoms improved intragroup in the SG group. The acetic, propionic, and butyric acid production increased intragroup in the SG group. Regarding α-diversity, the Chao1 index was enhanced in the SG intragroup. The KEGG analysis revealed that symbiotic meal increased the intragroup energy and amino sugar metabolism, in addition to enabling essential amino acid production and metabolism, sucrose degradation, and the biosynthesis of ribonucleotide metabolic pathways.
CONCLUSIONS
The consumption of symbiotic meal reduced BMI, improved short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis and gastrointestinal symptoms, increased diversity according to the Chao1 index, and reduced uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease patients.
Topics: Humans; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Probiotics; Sorghum; Male; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Middle Aged; Single-Blind Method; Bifidobacterium longum; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Biomarkers; Aged; Dysbiosis; Adult; Intestines
PubMed: 38931207
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121852 -
Nutrients Jun 2024There is a growing consensus that fasting-induced ketosis has beneficial effects on human physiology. Despite these compelling benefits, fasting-induced ketosis raises...
BACKGROUND
There is a growing consensus that fasting-induced ketosis has beneficial effects on human physiology. Despite these compelling benefits, fasting-induced ketosis raises concerns in some clinicians because it is often inappropriately compared with the pathologic uncontrolled ketone production in diabetic ketoacidosis. The determinants of the inter-individual differences in the intensity of ketosis during long-term fasting is unknown.
METHODS
We monitored daily variations in fasting ketonemia, as well as ketonuria, which is less invasive, in a large cohort of 1610 subjects, fasting between 4 and 21 days with the Buchinger Wilhelmi program, minimally supplemented with ~75-250 kcal (daily fruit juice, vegetable soup, and honey).
RESULTS
Ketonuria was detected in more than 95% of fasting subjects from day 4 onwards. Subjects consuming only soups, without fruit juice or honey, exhibited reduced caloric intake (72 kcal instead of 236 kcal) and carbohydrate intake (15.6 g instead of 56.5 g), leading to more intense ketonuria. Participants with high ketonuria were, in the majority, males, young, had a higher body weight, and had lower HDL-C and urea values. They had a larger decrease in blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin levels, body weight, and waist circumference. Furthermore, in the high-ketonuria group, a larger increase in blood uric acid concentration was observed.
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that long-term fasting triggered ketosis, never reaching pathological levels, and that ketosis is influenced by age, gender, health, and the level of physical activity. Furthermore, it is modulated but not suppressed by minimal carbohydrate intake. Our study paves the way for better understanding how supplementation can modulate the therapeutic effects and tolerability of long-term fasting.
Topics: Humans; Fasting; Male; Female; Ketosis; Adult; Middle Aged; Blood Glucose; Young Adult; Energy Intake; Honey; Time Factors; Aged; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Uric Acid
PubMed: 38931204
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121849 -
Nutrients Jun 2024(1) Background: Dysregulated serum amino acids (AA) are known to be associated with obesity and risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in adults, and recent studies support the...
(1) Background: Dysregulated serum amino acids (AA) are known to be associated with obesity and risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in adults, and recent studies support the same notion in the pubertal age. It is, however, unknown whether childhood overweight may already display alterations of circulating AA. (2) Methods: We used liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-targeted metabolomics to determine plasma concentrations of AA and AA-related molecules in 36 children aged 7-12 years with normal weight or overweight. Clinical and anthropometric parameters were measured. (3) Results: Overweight in children is associated with an altered AA profile, with increased branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and decreased glycine levels, with no clinically manifested metabolic conditions. Moreover, z-BMI was positively and negatively correlated with BCAA and glycine levels, respectively, even after adjustment for age and gender. We also found a correlation between the AA profile and clinical parameters such as lipids profile and glycemia. (4) Conclusions: A pattern of low glycine, and increased BCAA is correlated to z-BMI, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in overweight but otherwise healthy children. Our data suggest that, in childhood overweight, AA disturbances may precede other clinical parameters, thus providing an early indicator for the later development of metabolic disease.
Topics: Humans; Child; Female; Male; Glycine; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; Amino Acids; Overweight; Pediatric Obesity; Body Mass Index; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Chromatography, Liquid; Metabolomics; Triglycerides
PubMed: 38931197
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121843 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Cancer therapy, from malignant tumor inhibition to cellular eradication treatment, remains a challenge, especially regarding reduced side effects and low energy...
Cancer therapy, from malignant tumor inhibition to cellular eradication treatment, remains a challenge, especially regarding reduced side effects and low energy consumption during treatment. Hence, phytochemicals as cytotoxic sensitizers or photosensitizers deserve special attention. The dark and photo-response of Yemenite 'Etrog' leaf extracts applied to prostate PC3 cancer cells is reported here. An XTT cell viability assay along with light microscope observations revealed pronounced cytotoxic activity of the extract for long exposure times of 72 h upon concentrations of 175 μg/mL and 87.5 μg/mL, while phototoxic effect was obtained even at low concentration of 10.93 μg/mL and a short introduction period of 1.5 h. For the longest time incubation of 72 h and for the highest extract concentration of 175 μg/mL, relative cell survival decreased by up to 60% (below the IC). In combined phyto-photodynamic therapy, a reduction of 63% compared to unirradiated controls was obtained. The concentration of extract in cells versus the accumulation time was inversely related to fluorescence emission intensity readings. Extracellular ROS production was also shown. Based on an ATR-FTIR analysis of the powdered leaves and their liquid ethanolic extract, biochemical fingerprints of both polar and non-polar phyto-constituents were identified, thereby suggesting their implementation as phyto-medicine and phyto-photomedicine.
Topics: Humans; Male; Plant Extracts; Photochemotherapy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Plant Leaves; Cell Survival; Photosensitizing Agents; PC-3 Cells; Reactive Oxygen Species; Yemen; Cell Line, Tumor; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
PubMed: 38931175
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121820