PMID: 

Neuroscience. 2018 09 15 ;388:357-366. Epub 2018 Aug 4. PMID: 30086367

Abstract Title: 

Sulforaphane Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-induced Spatial Learning and Memory Dysfunction in Mice: The Role of BDNF-mTOR Signaling Pathway.

Abstract: 

Peripheral immune activation could cause neuroinflammation, leading to a series of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as spatial learning and memory dysfunction. However, its pathogenic mechanism and therapeutic strategies are not yet determined. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of sulforaphane (SFN) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced spatial learning and memory dysfunction, and tried to elucidate its relationship with the role of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS for consecutive 7 days to mice caused abnormal behaviors in Morris water maze test (MWMT), while systemic administration of SFN notably reversed the abnormal behaviors. In addition, hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines, synaptic proteins, BDNF-tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and mTOR signaling pathways were altered in the processes of LPS-induced cognitive dysfunction and SFN's therapeutic effects. Furthermore, we found that ANA-12 (a TrkB inhibitor) or rapamycin (a mTOR inhibitor) could block the beneficial effects of SFN on LPS-induced cognitive dysfunction, and that hippocampal levels of synaptic proteins, BDNF-TrkB and mTOR signaling pathways were also notably changed. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that SFN could elicit improving effects on LPS-induced spatial learning and memory dysfunction, which is likely related to the regulation of hippocampal BDNF-mTOR signaling pathway.

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PMID: 

Andrologia. 2019 Jul 26:e13371. Epub 2019 Jul 26. PMID: 31347717

Abstract Title: 

Orange peels modulate antioxidant markers and key enzymes relevant to erection in the penile tissue of paroxetine-treated rats.

Abstract: 

In comparison to other antidepressant drugs, erectile dysfunction (ED) is more pronounced in paroxetine use. On the other hand, orange (Citrus sinensis) peels commonly consumed in various forms are used in folkloric medicine for ED management. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of orange peels infusion on sexual behaviour, nitric oxide (NO) level and some enzymes (arginase, phosphodiesterase-5 [PDE-5], acetylcholinesterase [AChE] and adenosine deaminase [ADA]) in paroxetine-treated rats. Erectile dysfunction was induced with paroxetine (10 mg/kg body weight). The animals were grouped into five (n = 6): normal rats; paroxetine-induced rats; paroxetine-induced rats treated with sildenafil citrate (5 mg/kg); paroxetine-induced rats treated with orange peels infusion (50 mg/kg); Paroxetine induced rats treated with orange peel infusions (100 mg/kg). The results revealed a significant decrease in sexual behaviour, NO level and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, while there was a significant increase in arginase, PDE-5, AChE and ADA activities in paroxetine-induced rats. However, orange peel infusions ameliorated erectile dysfunction in paroxetine-treated rats. This study showed some possible biochemical basis underlying the use of orange peels infusion in erectile dysfunction management.

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PMID: 

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 11 ;16(14). Epub 2019 Jul 11. PMID: 31336735

Abstract Title: 

The Relationship between Vitamin C and Periodontal Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Abstract: 

Vitamin C is important for preventing and slowing the progression of many diseases. There is significant evidence linking periodontal disease and vitamin C. We aimed to systematically review the studies addressing the relationship between vitamin C and periodontal disease, and the preventive ability of vitamin C against periodontal disease. Electric searches were performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Studies addressing the relationships between periodontal disease and vitamin C in adults aged over 18 years were included. Quality assessment was done using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program guideline and GRADE-CERQual. There were 716 articles that were retrieved and 14 articles (seven cross-sectional studies, two case-control studies, two cohort studies, and three randomized controlled trials (RCT)) were selected after reviewing all of the articles. The vitamin C intake and blood levels were negatively related to periodontal disease in all seven cross-sectional studies. The subjects who suffer from periodontitis presented a lower vitamin C intake and lower blood-vitamin C levels than the subjects without periodontal disease in the two case-control studies. The patients with a lower dietary intake or lower blood level of vitamin C showed a greater progression of periodontal disease than the controls. The intervention using vitamin C administration improved gingival bleeding in gingivitis, but not in periodontitis. Alveolar bone absorption was also not improved. The present systematic review suggested that vitamin C contributes to a reduced risk of periodontal disease.

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PMID: 

J Biol Chem. 2006 May 19 ;281(20):14092-9. Epub 2006 Mar 28. PMID: 16569632

Abstract Title: 

Formation of F-ring isoprostane-like compounds (F3-isoprostanes) in vivo from eicosapentaenoic acid.

Abstract: 

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5, omega-3) is the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in fish oil. Recent studies suggest that the beneficial effects of fish oil are due, in part, to the generation of various free radical-generated non-enzymatic bioactive oxidation products from omega-3 PUFAs, although the specific molecular species responsible for these effects have not been identified. Our research group has previously reported that pro-inflammatory prostaglandin F2-like compounds, termed F2-isoprostanes (IsoPs), are produced in vivo by the free radical-catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonic acid and represent one of the major products resulting from the oxidation of this PUFA. Based on these observations, we questioned whether F2-IsoP-like compounds (F3-IsoPs) are formed from the oxidation of EPA in vivo. Oxidation of EPA in vitro yielded a series of compounds that were structurally established to be F3-IsoPs using a number of chemical and mass spectrometric approaches. The amounts formed were extremely large (up to 8.7 + 1.0 microg/mg EPA) and greater than levels of F2-IsoPs generated from arachidonic acid. We then examined the formation of F3-IsoPs in vivo in mice. Levels of F3-IsoPs in tissues such as heart are virtually undetectable at baseline, but supplementation of animals with EPA markedly increases quantities up to 27.4 + 5.6 ng/g of heart. Interestingly, EPA supplementation also markedly reduced levels of pro-inflammatory arachidonate-derived F2-IsoPs by up to 64% (p

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PMID: 

Anat Cell Biol. 2019 Jun ;52(2):196-203. Epub 2019 Jun 30. PMID: 31338237

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin C restores ovarian follicular reservation in a mouse model of aging.

Abstract: 

Ovarian aging is related to the reduction of oocyte quality and ovarian follicles reservation leading to infertility. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which may counteract with adverse effects of aging in the ovary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of vitamin C on NMRI mice ovarian aging according to the stereological study. In this experimental study, 36 adult female mice (25-30 g) were divided into two groups: control and vitamin C. Vitamin C (150 mg/kg/day) were administered by oral gavage for 33 weeks. Six animals of each group were sacrificed on week 8, 12, and 33, and right ovary samples were extracted for stereology analysis. Our data showed that the total volume of ovary, cortex, medulla and corpus luteum were significantly increased in vitamin C group in comparison to the control groups (≤0.05). In addition, the total number of primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles as well as granulosa cells were improved in vitamin C group in compared to the control groups (≤0.05). No significant difference was observed in total volume of oocytes in antral follicles between control and vitamin C groups. Our data showed that vitamin C could notably compensate undesirable effects of ovarian aging in a mouse model.

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PMID: 

Arch Med Res. 2019 Feb ;50(2):11-14. Epub 2019 May 23. PMID: 31349946

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin C for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension.

Abstract: 

It is suggested that supplementation of vitamin C reduces hyperglycemia and lowers blood pressure in hypertensives by enhacing the formation of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), PGI2 (prostacyclin), endothelial nitric oxide (eNO), and restore essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolism to normal and enhance the formation of lipoxin A4 (LXA4), a potent anti-inflammatory, vasodilator and antioxidant. These actions are in addition to the ability of vitamin C to function as an antioxidant. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that PGE1, PGI2 and NO have cytoprotective and genoprotective actions and thus, protect pancreaticβ and vascular endotheilial cells from the cytotoxic actions of endogenous and exogenous toxins. AA, the precursor of LXA4 and LXA4 have potent anti-diabetic actions and their plasma tissue concentrations are decreased in those with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Thus, vitamin C by augmentingthe formation of PGE1, PGI2, eNO, LXA4 and restoring AA content to normal may function as a cytoprotective, anti-mutagenic, vasodilator and platelet anti-agregator actions that explains its benefical action in type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

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PMID: 

Chem Phys Lipids. 2008 May ;153(1):47-56. Epub 2008 Feb 23. PMID: 18343223

Abstract Title: 

Anticancer properties of oxidation products of docosahexaenoic acid.

Abstract: 

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the longest, most unsaturated, and hence, most oxidizable fatty acid commonly found in nature. The mechanisms behind DHA's many biological functions remain a subject of much debate. Here we review one important, but often unstudied, aspect of DHA function, namely, the potential role of its many oxidation products. We divide this review into camps, enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidations, and report their effects primarily on induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. We conclude that the study of the effects of lipid peroxidation products on biochemical function will be a difficult but highly rewarding area for future studies.

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PMID: 

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Jul 25 ;19(1):185. Epub 2019 Jul 25. PMID: 31345195

Abstract Title: 

In vitro evaluation of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility to Saudi honeys.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Honey has been increasingly recognized as a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of wound infections. There is an urgent need for assessment and evaluation of the antibacterial properties against wound pathogens of honeys that have not yet been tested.METHODS: Ten Saudi honeys collected from different geographical locations were screened initially for their antibacterial potential against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) by the agar well diffusion method. Manuka honey (UMF-12) was used for comparison. Of the tested honeys, the honey that exhibited the greatest antibacterial activity in the agar well diffusion assay was further evaluated for its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against ten MRSA clinical isolates and three American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) reference strains by the microbroth dilution method.RESULTS: Locally produced honeys exhibited variable antibacterial activity against the tested isolates in the agar well diffusion assay. They were unable to exhibit antibacterial activity against MSSA and MRSA at 25% dilutions (w/v) in catalase solution. However, Sumra and Talha honeys showed a zone of inhibition at 50% dilutions (w/v) in catalase solution. This finding means that both honeys possess weak non-peroxide-based antibacterial activity. Moreover, Sumra honey showed a larger inhibition zone at 50 and 25% dilutions (w/v) in distilled water than Manuka honey against both MSSA and MRSA. This result demonstrates that Sumra honey has more hydrogen peroxide-related antibacterial activity or total antibacterial activity than Manuka honey. In addition, MIC results obtained through a microbroth dilution assay showed that Sumra honey inhibited the growth of all MRSA clinical isolates (n = 10) and reference strains [MRSA (ATCC 43300) and MSSA (ATCC 29213)] at lower concentrations (12.0% v/v) than those required for Manuka honey-mediated inhibition (14.0% v/v). This result means that Sumra honey has more peroxide or synergistic antibacterial activity than Manuka honey. An equivalent MIC (15.0% v/v) was observed for E. coli (ATCC 25922) between Manuka honey and Sumra honey.CONCLUSIONS: Sumra honey may be used as an alternative therapeutic agent for infected wounds and burns, where additional hydrogen peroxide-related antibacterial activity is needed. In the future, the physiochemical characteristics of Sumra honey may be evaluated and standardized.

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PMID: 

AIMS Microbiol. 2018 ;4(4):655-664. Epub 2018 Nov 27. PMID: 31294240

Abstract Title: 

Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview.

Abstract: 

The importance of honey for medicinal purposes is well documented in some of the world's oldest literature. Honey is well known and studied for its antimicrobial properties. The medicinal properties in honey originate from the floral source used by bees. Manuka honey is a dark monofloral honey rich in phenolic content, and currently it is gaining much attention for its antimicrobial activity. Researchers have found that honey is effective against a wide range of pathogens. The antibacterial potency of Manuka honey was found to be related to the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating, which is correlated with the methylglyoxal and total phenols content. It is reported that different types of Manuka honey have differing effects and Gram-negative bacteria are more resistant than Gram-positive bacteria. Bacterial resistance to honey as antimicrobial agent has yet to be identified, possibly due to the presence of a complex mixture of methylglyoxal and other components. Honey is also reported to alter a bacterium's shape and size through septal ring alteration, which affects cell morphology and growth. Research has shown that Manuka honey of different UMF values has medicinal properties of interest and it can be beneficial when used as a combination treatment with other antimicrobial agents.

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PMID: 

Planta Med. 2009 Mar ;75(4):302-6. Epub 2009 Jan 30. PMID: 19184967

Abstract Title: 

Lonicera hypoglauca inhibits xanthine oxidase and reduces serum uric acid in mice.

Abstract: 

Xanthine oxidase (XOD) catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to uric acid, and is a key enzyme in the pathogenesis of hyperuricemia. The ability of extracts of Lonicera hypoglauca (Caprifoliaceae) to inhibit XOD was investigated in this study. An ethanol extract (LH-crude) of the leaves of L. hypoglauca and its derived EtOAc soluble sub-fractions (LH-EA) significantly inhibited XOD activity, with IC50 values for LH-crude and LH-EA of 48.8 and 35.2 microg/mL. Moreover, LH-EA reduced serum urate levels IN VIVO in a potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mouse model, by 70.1% and 93.7% of the hyperuricemic untreated group at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg of LH-EA, respectively. Finally, we used bioactivity-guided fractionation to isolate a new bisflavonoid, loniceraflavone, which showed significant inhibition of XOD (IC50=0.85 microg/mL). These results suggest that L. hypoglauca and its extracts may have a considerable potential for development as an anti-hyperuricemia agent for clinical application.

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