PMID: 

Heliyon. 2019 May ;5(5):e01739. Epub 2019 May 17. PMID: 31193394

Abstract Title: 

Antihyperlipidemic screening and plasma uric acid reducing potential ofseeds on Swiss albino mice model.

Abstract: 

The global prevalence of hyperlipidaemia is increasing rapidly and high dietary fat intake is a major risk factor for developing hyperlipidaemia. Anbiological investigation was carried out on ethanolic extract ofa plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae for the evaluation of antihyperlipidemic activity and serum uric acid reducing potential. In our study, 25 healthy male mice were selected randomly and grouped into 5 groups (5 animals in each group). Lipid and uric acid profile were estimated after 21 days of treatment by using the enzymatic colourimetric GPO-PAP method. Results showed that ethanolic extract ofat a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight showed significant (p

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PMID: 

Toxicol Lett. 2014 Aug 4 ;228(3):216-24. Epub 2014 May 9. PMID: 24813634

Abstract Title: 

The protective effect of autophagy on mouse spermatocyte derived cells exposure to 1800MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: 

The increasing exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted from mobile phone use has raised public concern regarding the biological effects of RF exposure on the male reproductive system. Autophagy contributes to maintaining intracellular homeostasis under environmental stress. To clarify whether RF exposure could induce autophagy in the spermatocyte, mouse spermatocyte-derived cells (GC-2) were exposed to 1800MHz Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) signals in GSM-Talk mode at specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 1w/kg, 2w/kg or 4w/kg for 24h, respectively. The results indicated that the expression of LC3-II increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner with RF exposure, and showed a significant change at the SAR value of 4w/kg. The autophagosome formation and the occurrence of autophagy were further confirmed by GFP-LC3 transient transfection assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Furthermore, the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II was enhanced by co-treatment with Chloroquine (CQ), indicating autophagic flux could be enhanced by RF exposure. Intracellular ROS levels significantly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner after cells were exposed to RF. Pretreatment with anti-oxidative NAC obviously decreased the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and attenuated the degradation of p62 induced by RF exposure. Meanwhile, phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) significantly increased after RF exposure at the SAR value of 2w/kg and 4w/kg. Moreover, we observed that RF exposure did not increase the percentage of apoptotic cells, but inhibition of autophagy could increase the percentage of apoptotic cells. These findings suggested that autophagy flux could be enhanced by 1800MHz GSM exposure (4w/kg), which is mediated by ROS generation. Autophagy may play an important role in preventing cells from apoptotic cell death under RF exposure stress.

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PMID: 

Front Pharmacol. 2019 ;10:486. Epub 2019 May 8. PMID: 31139079

Abstract Title: 

, a Nutraceutical Approach for Inflammatory Related Diseases.

Abstract: 

, commonly called bitter melon, is a plant belonging to Cucurbitaceae family known for centuries for its pharmacological activities, and nutritional properties. Due to the presence of many bioactive compounds, some of which possess potent biological actions, this plant is used in folk medicine all over the world for the treatment of different pathologies, mainly diabetes, but also cancer, and other inflammation-associated diseases. It is widely demonstrated thatextracts contribute in lowering glycaemia in patients affected by type 2 diabetes. However, the majority of existing studies onbioactive compounds were performed only on cell lines and in animal models. Therefore, because the real impact of bitter melon on human health has not been thoroughly demonstrated, systematic clinical studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety in patients. Besides, bothandstudies have demonstrated that bitter melon may also elicit toxic or adverse effects under different conditions. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic properties of bitter melon, discussing its pharmacological activity as well as the potential adverse effects. Even if a lot of literature is available about bitter melon as antidiabetic drug, few papers discuss the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of this plant.

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PMID: 

Exp Oncol. 2013 Sep ;35(3):219-25. PMID: 24084462

Abstract Title: 

Overproduction of free radical species in embryonal cells exposed to low intensity radiofrequency radiation.

Abstract: 

AIM: Long-term exposure of humans to low intensity radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) leads to a statistically significant increase in tumor incidence. Mechanisms of such the effects are unclear, but features of oxidative stress in living cells under RF-EMR exposure were previously reported. Our study aims to assess a production of initial free radical species, which lead to oxidative stress in the cell.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Embryos of Japanese quails were exposed in ovo to extremely low intensity RF-EMR of GSM 900 MHz (0.25µW/cm2) during 158-360 h discontinuously (48 c – ON, 12 c – OFF) before and in the initial stages of development. The levels of superoxide (O2·-), nitrogen oxide (NO·), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) and antioxidant enzymes' activities were assessed in cells/tissues of 38-h, 5- and 10-day RF-EMR exposed and unexposed embryos.RESULTS: The exposure resulted in a significant persistent overproduction of superoxide and nitrogen oxide in embryo cells during all period of analyses. As a result, significantly increased levels of TBARS and 8-oxo-dG followed by significantly decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were developed in the exposed embryo cells.CONCLUSION: Exposure of developing quail embryos to extremely low intensity RF-EMR of GSM 900 MHz during at least one hundred and fifty-eight hours leads to a significant overproduction of free radicals/reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage of DNA in embryo cells. These oxidative changes may lead to pathologies up to oncogenic transformation of cells.

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PMID: 

Food Res Int. 2019 Jul ;121:367-378. Epub 2019 Mar 26. PMID: 31108759

Abstract Title: 

Fermented Momordica charantia L. juice modulates hyperglycemia, lipid profile, and gut microbiota in type 2 diabetic rats.

Abstract: 

The effect of Lactobacillus plantarum-fermentation on the anti-diabetic functionality of Momordica charantia was examined using a high-fat-diet and low-dose streptozocin-induced type 2 diabetic rat model. Fermented Momordica charantia juice (FMCJ) administration mitigated the hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats more favorably than the non-fermented counterpart. Treatments with FMCJ improved ergosterols and lysomonomethyl-phosphatidylethanolamines metabolisms more effectively. Supplement of FMCJ regulated the composition of the gut microbiota, such as increased the abundance of Bacteroides caecigallinarum, Oscillibacter ruminantium, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Prevotella loescheii, Prevotella oralis, and Prevotella melaninogenica, in diabetic rats compared with untreated diabetic rats. Moreover, FMCJ-treated diabetic rats exhibited higher concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, total short-chain fatty acids and lower pH values in colonic contents than that in non-fermented juice-treated rats. These results demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum-fermentation enhanced the anti-diabetic property of MC juice by favoring the regulation of gut microbiota and the production of SCFAs.

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PMID: 

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2013 Feb ;88:35-41. Epub 2012 Nov 17. PMID: 23164448

Abstract Title: 

The toxic effects of mobile phone radiofrequency (940 MHz) on the structure of calf thymus DNA.

Abstract: 

Currently, the biological effects of nonionizing electromagnetic fields (EMFs) including radiofrequency (RF) radiation have been the subject of numerous experimental and theoretical studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible biological effects of mobile phone RF (940 MHz, 15 V/m and SAR=40 mW/kg) on the structure of calf thymus DNA (ct DNA) immediately after exposure and 2 h after 45 min exposure via diverse range of spectroscopic instruments. The UV-vis and circular dichroism (CD) experiments depict that mobile phone EMFs can remarkably cause disturbance on ct DNA structure. In addition, the DNA samples, immediately after exposure and 2 h after 45 min exposure, are relatively thermally unstable compared to the DNA solution, which was placed in a small shielded box (unexposed ct DNA). Furthermore, the exposed DNA samples (the DNA samples that were exposed to 940 MHz EMF) have more fluorescence emission when compared with the unexposed DNA, which may have occurred attributable to expansion of the exposed DNA structure. The results of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential experiments demonstrate that RF-EMFs lead to increment in the surface charge and size of DNA. The structure of DNA immediately after exposure is not significantly different from the DNA sample 2 h after 45 min exposure. In other words, the EMF-induced conformational changes are irreversible. Collectively, our results reveal that 940 MHz can alter the structure of DNA. The displacement of electrons in DNA by EMFs may lead to conformational changes of DNA and DNA disaggregation. Results from this study could have an important implication on the health effects of RF-EMFs exposure. In addition, this finding could proffer a novel strategy for the development of next generation of mobile phone.

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PMID: 

Cell Biochem Biophys. 2014 Mar ;68(2):347-58. PMID: 23949848

Abstract Title: 

Effect of 3G cell phone exposure with computer controlled 2-D stepper motor on non-thermal activation of the hsp27/p38MAPK stress pathway in rat brain.

Abstract: 

Cell phone radiation exposure and its biological interaction is the present concern of debate. Present study aimed to investigate the effect of 3G cell phone exposure with computer controlled 2-D stepper motor on 45-day-old male Wistar rat brain. Animals were exposed for 2 h a day for 60 days by using mobile phone with angular movement up to zero to 30°. The variation of the motor is restricted to 90° with respect to the horizontal plane, moving at a pre-determined rate of 2° per minute. Immediately after 60 days of exposure, animals were scarified and numbers of parameters (DNA double-strand break, micronuclei, caspase 3, apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, expression of stress-responsive genes) were performed. Result shows that microwave radiation emitted from 3G mobile phone significantly induced DNA strand breaks in brain. Meanwhile a significant increase in micronuclei, caspase 3 and apoptosis were also observed in exposed group (P

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PMID: 

Food Funct. 2019 Jun 19 ;10(6):3237-3251. PMID: 31089601

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Momordica saponin extract on alleviating fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract: 

Momordica saponins have diverse biological activities and are widely used to improve obesity. Here, we investigated the alleviation of fat accumulation and mechanism of action of the saponin-enriched ethanol extract from Momordica charantia (MSE) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). First, MSE had a strong fat-reduction capacity in normal and high-fat worms. Second, MSE significantly increased the proportion of small lipid droplets and reduced the average particle size in ZXW618. Meanwhile, it improved lifespan and healthspan and physiological functions, such as age pigmentation and neuroprotection. Furthermore, MSE mediated fat reduction gets involved neither in energy intake nor in energy expenditure. Finally, MSE might down-regulate sbp-1 and nhr-49 via mdt-15, and up regulate age-1 via daf-2. And these targets genes together down-regulated the expression of fat-5, fat-6 and fat-7 to decrease fat accumulation. Our results provided new insights into the inhibition of fat accumulation and underlying mechanisms of Momordica saponins in C. elegans, which might be developed into a nutraceutical to ameliorate obesity.

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PMID: 

J Nutr Biochem. 2019 Jun ;68:16-32. Epub 2019 Mar 23. PMID: 31005847

Abstract Title: 

Momordica charantia (bitter melon) modulates adipose tissue inflammasome gene expression and adipose-gut inflammatory cross talk in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice.

Abstract: 

Systemic and tissue-specific inflammation has a profound influence on regulation of metabolism, and therefore, strategies to reduce inflammation are of special interest in prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Antiobesity and antidiabetic properties of Momordica charantia (bitter melon, BM) have been linked to its protective effects on inflammation and gut microbial dysbiosis. We investigated the mechanisms by which freeze-dried BM juice reduces adipose inflammation in mice fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. Although earlier studies indicated that BM inhibited recruitment of macrophages (Mφ) infiltration in adipose tissue of rodents and reduced NF-kB and IL-1β secretions, the mechanisms remain unknown. We demonstrate that freeze-dried BM juice inhibits recruitment of Mφ into adipose tissue and its polarization to inflammatory phenotype possibly due to reduction of sphingokinase 1(SPK1) mRNA in HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, reduction of IL-1β secretion by freeze-dried BM juice in the adipose tissue of HFD-fed mice is correlated to alleviation of NLRP3 inflammasome components and their downstream signaling targets. We confirm previous observations that BM inhibited inflammationof colon and gut microbial dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice, which in part may be associated with the observed anti-inflammatory effects in adipose tissue if HFD-fed mice. Overall, functional foods such as BM may offer potential dietary interventions that may impact sterile inflammatory diseases such as obesity and T2D.

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PMID: 

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013 Jul ;17(13):1782-8. PMID: 23852905

Abstract Title: 

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone on the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in four different areas of rat brain.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The use of mobile phones is rapidly increasing all over the world. Few studies deal with the effect of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on monoamine neurotransmitters in the different brain areas of adult rat.AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR on the concentrations of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla oblongata of adult rats.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult rats were exposed daily to EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm2, modulated at 217 Hz) and sacrificed after 1, 2 and 4 months of daily EMR exposure as well as after stopping EMR for 1 month (after 4 months of daily EMR exposure). Monoamines were determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) using their native properties.RESULTS: The exposure to EMR resulted in significant changes in DA, NE and 5-HT in the four selected areas of adult rat brain.CONCLUSIONS: The exposure of adult rats to EMR may cause disturbances in monoamine neurotransmitters and this may underlie many of the adverse effects reported after EMR including memory, learning, and stress.

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