PMID: 

Animals (Basel). 2020 Mar 12 ;10(3). Epub 2020 Mar 12. PMID: 32178251

Abstract Title: 

Reduced Oxidative Damage Induced by Chlorpyrifos Toxicity in Nile Tilapia ().

Abstract: 

Due to the numerous pharmacological impacts of(SP), the effects of SP on the oxidative status of Nile tilapia farmed under chlorpyrifos (CPF) ambient toxicity were considered in this study. Fish (60± 6.1 g) was randomly stocked in five groups where the SP free diet was fed to the control group while the second one was fed 1% SP without CPF exposure. Additionally, CPF (15 μg/L) was added in water and fish were fed with SP at 0, 0.5, and 1% (third, fourth, and fifth groups, respectively). Samples of blood and gills, kidneys, and liver tissues were assayed for biochemical measurements. Fish exposed to CPF exhibited significant (≤ 0.05) increments of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde (MDA), while significantly decreased total protein, albumin, and antioxidative enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD)and catalase (CAT) were observed in tilapia exposed to CPF (≤ 0.05). In contrast, SP feeding resulted in decreased levels of ALT, AST, ALP, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine as well as increased total protein, albumin, SOD, and CAT activities. Based on the obtained results, it can be suggested that SP is efficient in protecting Nile tilapia from CPF toxicity by increasing the antioxidative response.

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PMID: 

J Basic Microbiol. 2020 Mar 18. Epub 2020 Mar 18. PMID: 32187728

Abstract Title: 

Effects of different probiotic combinations on the components and bioactivity of Spirulina.

Abstract: 

Spirulina acts as a good dietary nutritional supplement. However, few research studies have been conducted on its fermentation. Three groups of probiotic combinations, lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus strains, and their mixture, were used to investigate Spirulina fermentation. The results showed that lactic acid bacteria significantly increased the content of amino acids and the ratio of essential amino acids to total amino acids in the fermented Spirulina, compared with the unfermented Spirulina, and this trend was enhanced by the strains' mixture. However, compared to unfermented Spirulina, the amino acid levels were significantly decreased after fermentation with Bacillus strains and so was the total free amino acid and essential aminoacid content. Fermentation significantly reduced the contents of the offensive components of Spirulina, with significant differences among the three mixed bacterial treatments. Moreover, Bacillus strain fermentation increased the contents of flavonoids and polyphenols compared to the unfermented Spirulina, and significantly enhanced 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine free-radical scavenging ability and total antioxidant ability. On the contrary, treatments with lactic acid bacteria and the mixture of lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus strains endowed the fermented supernatants with good antibacterial ability. The results showed that probiotic fermentation has a good effect on Spirulina and can serve as a new procedure for developing new Spirulina-containing food items.

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PMID: 

Onco Targets Ther. 2020 ;13:1909-1919. Epub 2020 Mar 4. PMID: 32184626

Abstract Title: 

Berberine Reverses Doxorubicin Resistance by Inhibiting Autophagy Through the PTEN/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer.

Abstract: 

Purpose: Berberine (BBR), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown effects on inhibiting cancer development. Autophagy-mediated resistance plays an important role in cancer progression; therefore, regulation of autophagy is a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. However, effects of BBR on autophagy-mediated resistance have not been reported.Methods: MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the doxorubicin (ADR)-resistant MCF-7 cells (MCF-7/ADR) were used for analyses. Western blotting was conducted to evaluate protein expression; MTT, colony formation, and EdU assays were conducted to assess cell proliferation; transmission electron microscopy was used to monitor autophagy levels; and a xenograft tumor model was established to assess the effects of BBR on reversing doxorubicin resistance.Results: We confirmed that BBR, recently identified as a suppressor of autophagy, inhibits autophagosome formation in MCF-7/ADR cells. Treatment with BBR blocked the accumulation of the autophagy-associated protein LC3II, resulting in cellular accumulation of p62, reduced cell proliferation, and reversal of doxorubicin resistance. Mechanistically, we found that BBR inhibited autophagy by modulating the PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In vivo, our study showed that BBR exerts clear anti-tumor effects.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that BBR reverses doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells by inhibiting autophagy. This finding highlights the potential clinical application of BBR in the treatment of breast cancer.

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PMID: 

Iran J Pharm Res. 2019 ;18(4):1921-1930. PMID: 32184858

Abstract Title: 

Synergistic Effect of Metformin and Berberine on High Glucose-induced Lipogenesis.

Abstract: 

Metformin and berberine have been reported to have lipid lowering effects. This study aims to investigate lipid lowering effects of berberine and Metformin, alone and in combination, in HepG2 cells to determine whether berberine and Metformin work synergistically and elucidate their mechanisms. HepG2 cells were treated with 33 mM glucose in the presence of various concentrations of berberine and Metformin, alone and in combination, for 24 h. The cytotoxic effects of these compounds were determined by MTT assay. Oil red O staining, triglyceride measurement, and gene expression analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of these compounds on hepatocytes lipogenesis. Berberine at doses 20 µM and 40 µM and Metformin at doses 1mM and 2 mM reduced total lipid content and triglyceride level in HepG2 cells. Metformin (mM) and berberine (µM) at combination ratios of 2:40, 1:20, 0.5:10, and 0.25:5 exhibited a synergistic lipid-lowering effect on HepG2 cells. These ratios could significantly decrease total lipid content and triglyceride level in HepG2 cells. The lowest dose of the combination [Metformin (0.25 mM) and berberine (5 μM)] also synergistically reduced the expression of the FAS and SREBP-1c genes in HepG2 cells treated with high glucose. The combination of Metformin and berberine exerted synergistic lipid-lowering effects on HepG2 cells by reducing total lipid content, triglyceride level, and the expression of the genes involved in lipogenesis.

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PMID: 

Int J Med Sci. 2019 ;16(6):845-853. Epub 2019 Jun 2. PMID: 31337958

Abstract Title: 

A Combination ofseeds andRhizome Extracts Improves Knee Joint Function and Alleviates Pain in Non-Arthritic Adults Following Physical Activity.

Abstract: 

: Knee joint pain is the most common reason for physical disability which associates with age. TamaFlex(NXT15906F6) is a synergistic anti-inflammatory formulation which contains ethanol/aqueous extracts ofseeds and ethanol extract ofrhizome.: In a 90-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we evaluated efficacy of NXT15906F6 in relieving pain and improving joint function in non-arthritic adults. Ninety non-arthritic subjects who experienced knee pain and joint discomfort following a six-minute walk test (SMWT) and Stair climb test (SCT) participated in the present trial. Subjects received either 250 mg (n=30) or 400 mg (n=30) of NXT15906F6 or matched placebo (PL: n=30) daily for 90 days. Improvement from baseline six-minute walk distance (SMWD) in NXT15906F6 groups, compared with placebo (PL) was the primary outcome of the study.: At post-intervention, subjects in NXT15906F6-250 (p

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PMID: 

Integr Med Res. 2019 Sep ;8(3):181-186. Epub 2019 Jul 23. PMID: 31453087

Abstract Title: 

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential ofLinn. (Fabaceae): a narrative review.

Abstract: 

Chronic inflammation is one of the causes of a number of non-infectious diseases in the world. Over the years,has played fundamental roles in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug. It is a commercialized biocompatible medicinal plant species with a wide range of therapeutic window and with suggested LD50 greater than 5000 mg kgbody weight when administered to the Wistar rats. This review examined the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential and mechanism of various extracts frompulp, leaves, seeds, stem bark, and roots. The preclinical studies provided strong pharmacological evidence for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the different parts ofand this may be attributed to the various bioactive compounds in it including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, and steroids. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the extracts from the different parts ofmay be due to its ability to inhibit a number of biological processes including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), 5-lipoxygenase biosynthesis, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The analgesic activity ofmay also be through the activation of the opioidergic mechanism at both the peripheral and central levels. Although further pre-clinical studies still need to be conducted, these results demonstrated thathas potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and hence provides justification for its use in traditional medicine to treat body pain and other inflammatory related diseases including arthritis and offers a basis for future clinical studies and possible drug development.

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PMID: 

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Sep 18 ;19(1):261. Epub 2019 Sep 18. PMID: 31533701

Abstract Title: 

Efficacy evaluation of ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica L. leaves as possible alternate therapy in septic arthritis model of rabbit.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Our previous study exhibited free radicals scavenging and antioxidant activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Tamarindus indica L. leaves in chronic sodium fluoride poisoning in rats. Tamarindus indica L. seed extract was also reported to have anti-arthritic efficacy by inhibiting cartilage and bone degrading factors. Therefore, an attempt was made to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica L. leaves in septic arthritis.METHODS: The safety study was performed by oral dosing of ethanolic extract of the plant leaves at 2 g kgfor consecutive 28 days in rabbits. Septic arthritis was induced in rabbits by single intra-articular inoculation of 10c.f.u. of Staphylococcus aureus to the left stifle joint and was monitored by bacterial colony count, some relevant biochemical parameters and histopathological interpretation of the affected joint. For efficacy evaluation in septic arthritis, linezolid at 75 mg kgtwice daily for 10 days and the ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica L. at 500 and 1000 mg kgfor consecutive 14 days were administered orally to the rabbits after 48 h of induction of arthritis.RESULTS: In sub-acute toxicity study of Tamarindus indica L. leaves ethanolic extract, no significant change between days was found for aspertate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine compared to day 0 values of the same group. The bacterial colony count of synovial fluid following Staphylococcus aureus inoculation to left stifle joint was found to be 1.08 ± 0.47 and 1.19 ± 0.29 c.f.u. mLin ethanolic extract low dose and high dose groups respectively, on day 2 which was reduced to 0.057 ± 0.036 c.f.u. mLand nil on day 16. The test extract was also found to markedly reduce simultaneous glucose difference, total protein ratio of serum and synovial fluid, joint radius and joint narrowing.CONCLUSION: Ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica L. leaves at 500 mg kgand 1000 mg kgproduced anti-arthritic effects against S. aureus induced septic arthritis in rabbits. However, the ethanolic extract at 1000 mg kgorally for consecutive 14 days showed better effects in septic arthritis.

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PMID: 

Heliyon. 2020 Jan ;6(1):e03310. Epub 2020 Jan 28. PMID: 32051875

Abstract Title: 

The intake of an extract from seeds ofmodulates the endocrine function of adult male mice under a high fat diet.

Abstract: 

TBP is a natural product fromseeds used as a natural remedy in India. This product is an antioxidant and may have beneficial effects on endocrine and metabolic functions. However, the regulatory mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. In males, testosterone is synthesized by Leydig cells from the testis. With aging and obesity, testis function declines, leading to decreased testosterone synthesis. The aim of the current research is to determine how TBP improves testosterone production in male mice under a high fat diet leading to hypoandrogenic condition. Using C2C12 myoblast cells, we have found that TBP increased mitochondrial mass and oxygen respiration, as well as the production of the IGF-1 hormone. In addition, treatment of TM3 Leydig cells with TBP resulted in increased testosterone production. In mice under a high fat diet, TBP lowered blood glucose level and corticosterone production and improved total testosterone production after five weeks of treatment. In addition, testicular expressions of genes encoding the mitochondrial transporter of cholesterol () and steroidogenic enzymes (,,and) were increased by TBP. Hence, TBP may prevent the detrimental effects of long-term consumption of a high fat diet and may have health benefits on the endocrine function.

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PMID: 

Int J Prev Med. 2020 ;11:24. Epub 2020 Feb 17. PMID: 32175064

Abstract Title: 

Evaluation on the Effects ofL. Fruit on Body Weight and Several Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Obese and Overweight Adult Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Abstract: 

Background: Animal studies have shown the anti-obesity effects ofL. (tamarind) fruit pulp. This study aimed to evaluate the weight-reducing effects ofL. fruit as well as its blood pressure- and lipid-lowering effects in a clinical trial.Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, obese and overweight patients were randomly and equally assigned to tamarind and control groups. Both groups were instructed proper diet and maintaining physical activity for 6 weeks. Furthermore, the participants of tamarind group were instructed to consume 10 grams of tamarind fruit pulp twice daily with meals for the same period. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting serum levels of glucose (fasting plasma glucose, FPG), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined and recorded for all patients pre- and post-intervention.Results: Twenty patients in each group completed the study. Tamarind significantly reduced BMI, WC, LDL-C, SBP, and DBP compared to baseline. However, none of these effects were statistically significant compared to control group.Conclusions: Consumption of tamarind fruit pulp with daily dose of 20 g has no significant effects on body weight, waist circumference, serum lipid profile, blood glucose, and blood pressure.

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PMID: 

Physiol Res. 2019 12 30 ;68(Suppl 4):S459-S466. PMID: 32118477

Abstract Title: 

The effect of neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid on the structure and stability of DNA.

Abstract: 

The application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers constitutes a potential risk to human and animals due to the presence of their residues in the food. Thiacloprid belongs to a group of neonicotinoid insecticides. It shows a cytotoxic/cytostatic effect in human peripheral blood lymphocytes probably due to DNA damage. The use of thiacloprid is increasingly widespread worldwide, therefore is very important the assessment of its possible genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on a living organism. That is the reason why we studied the thiacloprid influence on the structure and stability of DNA in presented work. We have been studied the thiacloprid interaction with calf thymus DNA. Association constant was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy using equilibrium receptor-ligand binding analysis. The thermal denaturation of DNA was used to identify the mode of interaction. Viscosity changes were recorded to confirm/disconfirm the intercalation mode of interaction. Given the results, we can conclude that neonicotinoid pesticide thiacloprid destabilizes DNA. It changes the structure and stability of DNA through binding into the minor groove by hydrophobic or hydrogen interactions.

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