PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Feb ;122:109690. Epub 2019 Nov 28. PMID: 31786468

Abstract Title: 

Puerarin protects against iron overload-induced retinal injury through regulation of iron-handling proteins.

Abstract: 

Excess iron content can build up in the retina and lead to iron-mediated retinal injury. An important isoflavone C-glucoside, puerarin, has been reported to be involved in retinal protection. In this experiment, we studied the effects and potential mechanisms of puerarin on retinal injury in vivo and in vitro. We found that puerarin reduced serum and retinal iron content, attenuated the pathophysiological changes and retinal iron deposition, and partially prevented the decrease of rhodopsin and retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein expression in retinas of iron-overload mice. Puerarin rescued the abnormal expression of iron-handling proteins in the mouse retina and suppressed the oxidative stress induced by iron overload, as evident from the enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and decreased content of malondialdehyde. Moreover, puerarin inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), thereby protecting the retinal cells from apoptosis by suppressing cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage in vivo. Also, the ability of puerarin to regulate iron-handling proteins, decrease intracellular Fe, and inhibit cell apoptosis was further confirmed in ARPE-19 cells. The experimental data verify the protective role of puerarin in the treatment of retinal injury caused by iron overload; its possible mechanisms might be associated with regulation of iron-handling proteins, enhancement of the antioxidant capacity, and the inhibition of MAPK and STAT3 activation and the apoptotic pathways under iron overload conditions.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Apr ;124:109847. Epub 2020 Jan 22. PMID: 31981944

Abstract Title: 

Puerarin inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice model.

Abstract: 

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. The aim of this study was to investigate whether puerarin, one of the main components of the root of Pueraria lobata, exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects against UC. To examine the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of puerarin against colitis, we used a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Administration of puerarin alleviated colon shortening, pathological damage to the colon, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Puerarin significantly inhibited inflammation through the down-regulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Moreover, puerarin showed anti-oxidative effects through the regulation of the expression of the NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway and antioxidant enzymes. Puerarin inhibited intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction by increasingthe expression of tight junction proteins. These results suggest that puerarin has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in the mouse model of colitis.

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PMID: 

Pharmacol Rep. 2019 Sep ;71(5):855-861. Epub 2019 May 7. PMID: 31994047

Abstract Title: 

Puerarin protects pulmonary arteries from hypoxic injury through the BMPRII and PPARγ signaling pathways in endothelial cells.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates that Puerarin has a protective effect on pulmonary arteries. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether Puerarin could protect pulmonary arterial endothelial cells from hypoxic injury and determine its potential targets.METHODS: In our study, human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs) were injured by hypoxic (1% O) incubation. Cell viability was detected by a cell counting kit (CCK8). The production of nitric oxide (NO) was detected by Griess reagent and endothelin-1 (ET-1) was detected by the ELISA method. Oxidative stress was measured by a fluorescence microscope via the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. Western blotting was employed for studying the mechanism.RESULTS: The results show that Puerarin protects HPAECs from hypoxia-induced apoptosis and slightly improves cell viability. Puerarin increases NO and decreases ET-1 to prevent the imbalance between vasoactive substances induced by hypoxia in HPAECs. Puerarin also inhibits the oxidative stress induced by hypoxia. The results from the Western blot show that Puerarin activates the BMPRII/Smad and PPARγ/ PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Puerarin protects HPAECs from hypoxic injury through the inhibition of oxidative stress and the activation of the BMPRII and PPARγ signaling pathways. This work provides insight into the development of Puerarin as a treatment for hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

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PMID: 

Front Physiol. 2020 ;11:73. Epub 2020 Feb 14. PMID: 32116781

Abstract Title: 

Puerarin Attenuates Diabetic Nephropathy by Promoting Autophagy in Podocytes.

Abstract: 

Puerarin, an active compound of radix puerariae, is a major compound used in Chinese herbal medicines to treat patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). In the previous studies, we showed that puerarin exerts renoprotective effects in Streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice through activation of Sirt1 and anti-oxidative effects. Here, we further investigated the underlying mechanism mediating the renal protective effects of puerarin in DN. We studied the effects and mechanism of puerarin in STZ-induced diabetic mice and in cultured immortalized mouse podocytes treated with high glucose. We confirmed that puerarin ameliorated urinary albumin creatinine ratio and kidney injury in STZ-induced DN mice. We found that expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1) and Sirt1 was suppressed in diabetic glomeruli but restored by puerarin treatment at both mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, we found that puerarin induced autophagy in the kidney of DN mice. In conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes, puerarin inhibited HG-induced apoptosis and restored the mRNA and protein levels of HMOX-1 and Sirt1. Interestingly, we showed that puerarin decreased liver kinase B1 (LKB1) acetylation, thereby promoting adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase-dependent autophagy. Knockdown of HMOX-1 and Sirt1 expression or treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine abolished the protective effects of puerarin in HG-treated podocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that puerarin protects podocytes from diabetes-induced injury through HMOX1 and Sirt1-mediated upregulation of autophagy, a novel mechanism explaining its renal protective effects in DN.

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PMID: 

Heliyon. 2019 Dec ;5(12):e03035. Epub 2019 Dec 18. PMID: 31890965

Abstract Title: 

Almond-supplemented diet improves sexual functions beyond Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition in diabetic male rats.

Abstract: 

Hyperglycemia, an important feature of diabetes, can cause oxidative stress, which is associated with varieties of diabetic complications including erectile dysfunction. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effect of almond-supplemented diet on some biochemical indices relevant to erection in diabetic male rats. Forty-two male rats were divided into two groups: A (n = 6) and B (n = 36). Diabetes was induced in Group B via injection of a single dose of STZ (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and confirmed 72 h after induction. Diabetic rats (blood glucose≥250 mg/dL) were subsequently divided into six groups (n = 6). Fourteen days after confirmation of diabetes, rats were fed with diets containing almond drupe and seeds (10 and 20% inclusion) for fourteen days. The effects of the diets on blood glucose, sexual behavior, sexual hormones, phosphodiesterase-5 activity, nitric oxide, HS, and AGEs levels were evaluated. Significant increase in blood glucose level, phosphodiesterase-5 activity, and glycated hemoglobin was observed in diabetic rats. Furthermore, diabetes caused a significant decrease in nitric oxide, HS, sexual hormones (testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) levels, and sexual behavioral indices. However, treatment with diets supplemented with almond drupe and seeds significantly reversed these effects in diabetic rats. Findings in this study revealed that almond-supplemented diets enhance some important biomarkers relevant to erection in diabetic rats. Thus, dietary inclusion of almond (drupe and seeds) could serve as a cheap and readily available nutraceutical in the management of erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes.

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PMID: 

Hu Li Za Zhi. 2020 Feb ;67(1):44-54. PMID: 31960396

Abstract Title: 

[Effect of Aromatherapy on Menopausal Symptoms, Heart Rate Variability, and Sleep Quality in Women].

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that aromatherapy improve health problems related to anxiety, depression, heart rate variability (HRV), and sleep. However, the effect of aromatherapy in women who suffer from menopausal syndrome and its specific effects on HRV and sleep quality are unknown.PURPOSE: This study designed an aromatherapy intervention and evaluated its effect on menopausal syndrome, HRV, and sleep quality in women.METHODS: This double-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted at a medical center hospital. A total of 84 participants who met the study criteria were randomly assigned using permuted block randomization. The experimental group received a 20-min inhalation of essential oil and the control group received a 20-min inhalation of sweet almond oil every night for 4 weeks. Posttest data was collected at 2 weeks after completion of the intervention. Data were collected using the Green Menopausal Symptom Scale, HRV device, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.RESULTS: After adjusting for age, the results of the generalized estimation equations (GEE) showed that all outcomes were significantly different in both the experimental group and the control group (p

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 Feb 27 ;12(3). Epub 2020 Feb 27. PMID: 32121011

Abstract Title: 

Effect of Almond Supplementation on Non-Esterified Fatty Acid Values and Exercise Performance.

Abstract: 

Several studies have investigated the effects of fat intake before exercise on subsequent substrate oxidation and exercise performance. While some studies have reported that unsaturated fatty acid supplementation slightly increases fat oxidation, the changes have not been reflected in the maximum oxygen uptake or in other performance and physiological parameters. We selected almonds as a fatty acid (FA) source for acute supplementation and investigated their effect on non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) values and exercise performance. Five physically active male subjects (age 32.9± 12.7 years, height 178.5 ± 3.3 cm, and weight 81.3 ± 9.7 kg) were randomly assigned to take an almond or placebo supplement 2 h before participating in two cycling resistance training sessions separated by an interval of 7-10 days. Their performance was evaluated with a maximal incremental testuntil exhaustion. Blood samples collected before, during, and after testing were biochemically analysed. The results indicated a NEFA value average increase of 0.09 mg·dL(95% CI: 0.05-0.14;

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 Mar 1 ;12(3). Epub 2020 Mar 1. PMID: 32121549

Abstract Title: 

Almonds (Mill. D. A. Webb): A Source of Nutrients and Health-Promoting Compounds.

Abstract: 

Almonds (Miller D. A. Webb (the almond or sweet almond)), from the Rosaceae family, have long been known as a source of essential nutrients; nowadays, they are in demand as a healthy food with increasing popularity for the general population and producers. Studies on the composition and characterization of almond macro- and micronutrients have shown that the nut has many nutritious ingredients such as fatty acids, lipids, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, as well as secondary metabolites. However, several factors affect the nutritional quality of almonds, including genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, investigations evaluating the effects of different factors on the quality of almonds were also included. In epidemiological studies, the consumption of almonds has been associated with several therapeutically and protective health benefits. Clinical studies have verified the modulatory effects on serum glucose, lipid and uric acid levels, the regulatory role on body weight, and protective effects against diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, recent researchers have also confirmed the prebiotic potential of almonds. The present review was carried out to emphasize the importance of almonds as a healthy food and source of beneficial constituents for human health, and to assess the factors affecting the quality of the almond kernel. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and SciFinder were used to investigate previously published articles on almonds in terms of components and bioactivity potentials with a particular focus on clinical trials.

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PMID: 

Food Res Int. 2020 Apr ;130:108890. Epub 2019 Dec 15. PMID: 32156348

Abstract Title: 

Dietary adzuki bean paste dose-dependently reduces visceral fat accumulation in rats fed a normal diet.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dose-dependent effect of adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) paste (ABP) on visceral fat accumulation in rats. ABP is a rich source of indigestible carbohydrates (18.5%) with fiber and resistant starch (RS) contents of 14.5% and 4.0%, respectively. Animals were fed one of the following diets, control (CON), 30% ABP or 58.9% ABP for 28 days. The daily dietary energy intake was lowered (p 

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PMID: 

Front Pharmacol. 2019 ;10:1613. Epub 2020 Jan 22. PMID: 32038265

Abstract Title: 

Protective Effect of Piceatannol Against Acute Lung Injury Through Protecting the Integrity of Air-Blood Barrier and Modulating the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway Activation.

Abstract: 

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common and complex inflammatory lung syndrome with higher morbidity and mortality rate. Piceatannol (PIC) has anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant properties. The study was designed to explore the effect and the action mechanisms of PIC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Twenty-four hours after LPS challenge, mice from different treatment groups were euthanized, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue samples were collected. Then the degree of pulmonary edema, lung pathological changes, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected. Additionally, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions associated with cell adhesion molecules and tight junction were analyzed through quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR, and the TLR4/NF-κB activation was examined by western blot. The results showed that PIC significantly inhibited LPS-induced lung edema, histopathological damage, MPO activity, cell infiltration, and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Moreover, PIC notably suppressed mRNA expressions associated with inflammation and cell adhesion molecules. Furthermore, PIC also alleviated LPS-induced damage of air-blood barrier through reducing the levels of total proteins in BALF and recovering the expression of occludin and ZO-1 in the lung tissues. We also found that PIC remarkably restrained the LPS-induced TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation in lung tissues. In conclusion, PIC may be potential to treat LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI)regulating air-blood barrier and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

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