PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 May 15 ;12(5). Epub 2020 May 15. PMID: 32429063

Abstract Title: 

Probiotic NVP-1703 Alleviates Allergic Rhinitis by Inducing IL-10 Expression: A Four-week Clinical Trial.

Abstract: 

Although several recent studies reported that probiotics might be beneficial for allergic rhinitis (AR), the effect of probiotics on AR is not consistent and have not been reproduced between studies. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of probiotic NVP-1703, a mixture ofand, in subjects with perennial AR. Adult subjects with perennial AR received either NVP-1703 (= 47) or placebo (= 48) for four weeks. Total nasal symptom scores (TNSS), rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT), blood eosinophil count, allergen-specific IgE, and immunological parameters in serum and urine were compared at baseline and after four weeks. TNSS changes from baseline at weeks 1, 3, and 4 were significant between the NVP-1703 and placebo groups (= 0.033, 0.031, and 0.029, respectively). RCAT score showed significant differences between the NVP-1703 and placebo groups (= 0.049) at week 4.-specific IgE levels and serum IL-10 levels were significantly different between the NVP-1703 and placebo groups (= 0.033 and= 0.047, respectively). IL-10/IL-4 and IL-10/IL-13 ratios were different between the NVP-1703 and placebo groups at week 4 (= 0.046 and 0.018, respectively). NVP-1703 treatment reduced urinary prostaglandin Fand leukotriene Elevels (>0.05). Therefore, NVP-1703 can be treatment option for perennial AR.

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PMID: 

Heliyon. 2020 Mar ;6(3):e03618. Epub 2020 Mar 25. PMID: 32258473

Abstract Title: 

andinhibitory effects ofseed onα-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes.

Abstract: 

The present study was aimed to investigate theandinhibitory effects ofseeds onα-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, as this is known to be an antidiabetic mechanism. Analysis of the extracts of the seeds for phytochemicals revealed the presence of a significant amount of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and steroids. The seed extracts ofexhibited good antioxidant capacity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydroxyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric reactive substance (TBARS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. The results of the inhibitory studies of the extracts revealed that the hexane extract followed by the ethyl acetate extract was the most potent inhibitor ofα-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme when compared to other extracts using their ICvalues. In the animal study, different doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/body weight) of the extracts ofseed were administered orally for 120 min, to normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and were compared with acarbose 100 mg/kg/body weight and control group for the effect on postprandial hyperglycemia. The extract of ethyl acetate (at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/body weight) significantly reduced postprandial glucose levels in these animals. The characterization of hexane and ethyl acetate extracts by GC-MS analysis revealed 20 bioactive compounds while the FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of this functional groups: -C=C, -C-Cl, -C-O, -O-H, -CH, -C=O, -C=C=C, -N=C=S, -O=C=O and -N-H inseed extracts. It was concluded that the inhibition ofα-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes and the prevention of oxidative stress in postprandial hyperglycemia could be some of the possible mechanisms by which they exert their anti-diabetic properties.

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PMID: 

Daru. 2020 May 5. Epub 2020 May 5. PMID: 32367410

Abstract Title: 

Therapeutic application of Carica papaya leaf extract in the management of human diseases.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: Papaya (Carica papaya Linn.) belongs to the family Caricaceae and is well known for its therapeutic and nutritional properties all over the world. The different parts of the papaya plant have been used since ancient times for its therapeutic applications. Herein, we aimed to review the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antiviral activities of papaya leaf.METHODS: All information presented in this review article regarding the therapeutic application of Carica papaya leaf extract has been acquired by approaching various electronic databases, including Scopus, Google scholar, Web of science, and PubMed. The keywords Carica papaya, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and phytochemicals were explored until December 2019.RESULTS: The papaya plant, including fruit, leaf, seed, bark, latex, and their ingredients play a major role in the management of disease progression. Carica papaya leaf contains active components such as alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, and flavonoids, which are responsible for its medicinal activity. Additionally, the leaf juice of papaya increases the platelet counts in people suffering from dengue fever.CONCLUSION: The major findings revealed that papaya leaf extract has strong medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, clinical trials are needed to explore the medicative potential of papaya leaf. Graphical abstract Graphical abstract showing the medicinal properties of Carica papaya leaf.

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PMID: 

Cardiovasc Ther. 2020 ;2020:4940673. Epub 2020 Apr 29. PMID: 32426036

Abstract Title: 

Association between Serum Vitamin C and the Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Abstract: 

Background: Hypertension is regarded as a major and independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, and numerous studies observed an inverse correlation between vitamin C intake and blood pressure.Aim: Our aim is to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin C and blood pressure, including the concentration differences and the correlation strength.Method: Two independent researchers searched and screened articles from the National Library of Medicine, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP databases, and WANFANG databases. A total of 18 eligible studies were analyzed in the Reviewer Manager 5.3 software, including 14 English articles and 4 Chinese articles.Results: In the evaluation of serum vitamin C levels, the concentration in hypertensive subjects is 15.13 mol/L lower than the normotensive ones (mean difference = -15.13, 95% CI [-24.19, -6.06], and= 0.001). Serum vitamin C has a significant inverse relation with both systolic blood pressure (Fisher's = -0.17, 95% CI [-0.20, -0.15],

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PMID: 

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21. PMID: 32436095

Abstract Title: 

Cardiac toxicity of heavy metals (cadmium and mercury) and pharmacological intervention by vitamin C in rabbits.

Abstract: 

Mercury and cadmium are highly dangerous metals that can lead to disastrous effects in animals and humans. The aim of the current research was to elucidate the poisonous effects of mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride individually and in combination on biochemical profiles of plasma and their accumulation in heart. The therapeutic effect of vitamin C against these metals in rabbits was also studied. Mercuric chloride (1.2 μg/g), cadmium chloride (1.5 μg/g), and vitamin C (150 μg/g of body weight) were orally given to treatment groups of the rabbits (1-control; 2-vitamin; 3-CdCl; 4-HgCl; 5-vitamin + CdCl; 6-vitamin + HgCl; 7-CdCl+ HgCl, and 8-vitamin + CdCl+ HgCl. After the biometric determination of all intoxicated rabbits, biochemical parameters, viz low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), cholesterol, creatine kinase, and troponin T (TnT) were analyzed using available kits. Levels of cholesterol (0.7 ± 0.1 mmol/l), creatine kinase (2985.2 ± 11 IU/L), LDL (20.35 ± 1.31 mg/dl), and troponin T (1.22 ± 0.03 μg/l) were significantly (P 

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PMID: 

J Cell Physiol. 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21. PMID: 32437012

Abstract Title: 

Dehydroascorbic acid, the oxidized form of vitamin C, improves renal histology and function in old mice.

Abstract: 

Oxidative stress and inflammation are crucial factors that increase with age. In the progression of multiple age-related diseases, antioxidants and bioactive compounds have been recognized as useful antiaging agents. Oxidized or reduced vitamin C exerts different actions on tissues and has different metabolism and uptake. In this study, we analyzed the antiaging effect of vitamin C, both oxidized and reduced forms, in renal aging using laser microdissection, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemical analyses. In the kidneys of old SAM mice (10 months of age), a model of accelerated senescence, vitamin C, especially in the oxidized form (dehydroascorbic acid [DHA]) improves renal histology and function. Serum creatinine levels and microalbuminuria also decrease after treatment with a decline in azotemia. In addition, sodium-vitamin C cotransporter isoform 1 levels, which were increased during aging, are normalized. In contrast, the pattern of glucose transporter 1 expression is not affected by aging or vitamin C treatment. We conclude that oxidized and reduced vitamin C are potent antiaging therapies and that DHA reverses the kidney damage observed in senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 to a greater degree.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 May 19 ;12(5). Epub 2020 May 19. PMID: 32438620

Abstract Title: 

COVID-19: The Inflammation Link and the Role of Nutrition in Potential Mitigation.

Abstract: 

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has engulfed the world, affecting more than 180 countries. As a result, there has been considerable economic distress globally and a significant loss of life. Sadly, the vulnerable and immunocompromised in our societies seem to be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 complications. Global public health bodies and governments have ignited strategies and issued advisories on various handwashing and hygiene guidelines, social distancing strategies, and, in the most extreme cases, some countries have adopted"stay in place"or lockdown protocols to prevent COVID-19 spread. Notably, there are several significant risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection. These include the presence of poor nutritional status and pre-existing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes mellitus, chronic lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), obesity, and various other diseases that render the patient immunocompromised. These diseases are characterized by systemic inflammation, which may be a common feature of these NCDs, affecting patient outcomes against COVID-19. In this review, we discuss some of the anti-inflammatory therapies that are currently under investigation intended to dampen the cytokine storm of severe COVID-19 infections. Furthermore, nutritional status and the role of diet and lifestyle is considered, as it is known to affect patient outcomes in other severe infections and may play a role in COVID-19 infection. This review speculates the importance of nutrition as a mitigation strategy to support immune function amid the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying food groups and key nutrients of importance that may affect the outcomes of respiratory infections.

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PMID: 

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Apr 7 ;17(7). Epub 2020 Apr 7. PMID: 32272777

Abstract Title: 

The Preventive Effect of Lactoferrin-Containing Yogurt on Gastroenteritis in Nursery School Children-Intervention Study for 15 Weeks.

Abstract: 

To evaluate the effects of bovine lactoferrin (LF)-containing yogurt on gastroenteritis in nursery school children during the winter season, we conducted a randomized prospective study. A total of 1296 children were randomized into a group in which LF was provided in yogurt (LF group,= 661) and a non-LF consumption group (control group,= 635). The LF group was given LF-containing yogurt (100 mg/day) on all 5 weekdays for approximately 15 weeks, and the control group consumed fruit jelly instead of the yogurt. The final totals of 578 children as the LF group and 584 as the control group were analyzed. The total number of children who were absent from school due to vomiting was significantly lower in the LF group compared to the control, accounting for≥3 days in any week: 10/234 (4.3%) vs. 49/584 (8.4%), respectively;= 0.04. Regarding the relationship between absences due to vomiting and the consumption of the LF-containing yogurt, the adjusted odds ratio for absence due to vomiting was 2.48 (95% CI: 1.19-5.14) in the LF children who consumed LF-containing yogurt≤2 days/week compared to the LF children who consumed the yogurt ≥ 3 days/week. The consumption of LF-containing yogurt (100 mg/day) for ≥3 days/week might help alleviate the symptom of vomiting in nursery school children during the winter.

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The COV-19 pandemic has provided a pretext and a justification for destabilizing the economies of entire countries, impoverishing large sectors of the World population. Unprecedented in modern history

PMID: 

Tissue Eng Part A. 2020 Apr 13. Epub 2020 Apr 13. PMID: 32324097

Abstract Title: 

Bioactive Membrane Immobilized with Lactoferrin for Modulation of Bone Regeneration and Inflammation.

Abstract: 

Guided bone regeneration refers to the process in which bone defects could be regenerated by facilitated healing through the use of membranes, potentially with the delivery of osteoinductive molecules, however, the regeneration often failed due to inflammation during bone formation. In this study, we developed a membrane immobilized with lactoferrin to modulate both bone regeneration and inflammatory responses. Lactoferrin was immobilized on electrospun nanofibers (LF50) by exploiting an adhesive polydopamine coating method. When human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were seeded onto the nanofibers, the LF50 significantly increased the osteogenic differentiation. For example, the gene expression of osteopontin was 6.9 ± 2.3 times greater in the cells on LF50 than the cells on unmodified nanofibers without lactoferrin. In addition, the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha () of the macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) cultured on the LF50 was 0.3 ± 0.1 times reduced, indicating the lactoferrin was able to reduce inflammatory response. With implantation of nanofibers onmouse calvarial defects, the LF50 resulted in 60.9% ± 4.5% of new bone formation, which was six times greater than the results of other groups. Furthermore, when the fibers were implanted onto themouse subcutaneous model challenged with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ, the area of inflammatory tissue was significantly reduced in the LF50 implanted group as 0.6 ± 0.1 mmas compared with the control group (1.1 ± 0.1 mm). Taken together, the lactoferrin immobilization onto the nanofiber by polydopamine chemistry may be an effective delivery method for improving bone regeneration while regulating the inflammation. Impact statementcritical-sized bone reconstruction remains challenging due to the severe inflammation, which would be an unavoidable problem during surgical process. Therefore, the present study aims to develop a guided nanofibrous membrane immobilized with lactoferrin, which has dual functions with osteoinduction and anti-inflammation. The lactoferrin-immobilized fibers demonstrated significantly enhancedosteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells as well as decreased polarization of macrophage to M1 with relatively reduced amount than that reported from previous reports. We also found that the membrane improvedbone regeneration and decreased inflammatory tissue formation. Taken together, this system would be a new platform for successful bone regeneration.

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