PMID: 

Nutrition. 1998 Nov-Dec;14(11-12):846-52. PMID: 9834927

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin C and aloe vera supplementation protects from chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat.

Abstract: 

The effects of vitamin C and aloe vera gel extract supplementation on induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats (120-150 g) by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) was investigated. The severity of the carcinogenesis process was determined by measuring gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and the placental form of glutathione S-transferase (GSTP) histochemically in situ and in plasma and liver fractions. In addition, plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and liver microsomal uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) activity were also determined. Administration of DEN/AAF caused an increase in the surface area and number of enzyme-positive foci (both GGT and GSTP) compared with control. Supplementation of vitamin C or aloe vera gel extract to the cancer-induced rats suppressed this increase significantly (P

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Phytochem Anal. 2020 Feb 5. Epub 2020 Feb 5. PMID: 32023359

Abstract Title: 

Cinnamic acid derivatives from welsh onion (Allium fistulosum) and their antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: Cinnamic acids are a class of compounds based on phenyl propanoid backbone (C6-C3) isolated from plants and microorganisms, exhibiting interesting biological activities.OBJECTIVE: To characterise cinnamic acids through the phytochemical study of welsh onion, Allium fistulosum, and to evaluate their antibacterial and cytotoxic properties.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The phytochemical study of A. fistulosum was performed through chromatographic techniques, including reversed phase medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Preliminary analysis of crude chromatographic fractions from the organic extracts was carried out by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) in order to prioritise the study of those having phenyl propanoid skeleton. The structural identification of the isolated compounds was performed through analysis of spectroscopic data, mainly one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR. The antibacterial activity was assessed against gram negative (Escherichia coli) and gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria while the cytotoxic property was evaluated on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).RESULTS: TheH-NMR study of crude fractions and application of a straightforward method to purify the phenyl propanoid compounds by reversed phase MPLC and HPLC, allowed the effortless isolation of several cinnamic acids, including two new rare phenolic imidates (1 and 2). The use of an entirely NMR approach for structural elucidation of the isolated metabolites allowed the isolated material to be kept for further pharmacological tests.CONCLUSION: These results corroborate the importance of the use of 1D and 2D NMR to the identification of new phenyl propanoids, potential lead compounds against bacteria and cancer cells.

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Front Oncol. 2019 ;9:1541. Epub 2020 Jan 17. PMID: 32010628

Abstract Title: 

Specificity of Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles for Prostate Cancer Therapy With Reduced Risk of Toxicity: AnandStudy.

Abstract: 

Selenium deficiency is associated with many physiological disorders including the high risk of cancer. The rehabilitation of selenium with different selenium supplements, however, fails due to their low therapeutic index. Therefore, it is advantageous to have a less toxic form of selenium for supplementation with potentially high anticancer activity. Here we showderived biogenic selenium nanoparticles at a minimal concentration of 2μg Se/ml induce necroptosis in LNCaP-FGC cells, without affecting the RBC integrity. Real-time gene expression analysis indicated the overexpression of tumor necrotic factor () and interferon regulatory factor () and decreased expression of androgen receptor () and prostate-specific antigen (). Furthermore, histopathological analysis showed the subsequent oral administrations of 10 times higher concentration of these endotoxin free selenium nanoparticles in C3H/HeJ mice (50 mg Se/kg of body weight), induce significantly lower toxicity compared to the L-selenomethionine (5 mg Se/kg). Our study suggested that the biogenic SeNP could emerge as the safest form of selenium supplementation with potent anticancer activity.

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Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Feb 21 ;9(2). Epub 2020 Feb 21. PMID: 32098217

Abstract Title: 

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Crude Extracts of Raw and Fermented Tomato Pomace and Their Correlations with Aglycate-Polyphenols.

Abstract: 

Two tomato pomace (TP) were studied as feedstocks to obtain extracts that are rich in polyphenols. TPs prompt degradation impairs biomass safety, thus naturally present microflora were tested to perform conservation, and own lactic bacteria became predominant after 60 days of treatment. The extracts of TPs and TPs fermented (TPF) were chemically characterized and tested for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were classed as aglycone-polyphenols (A-PP), the most bioactive polyphenol fraction. Fermentation led to a reduction of the A-PP amount, but no significant change in composition. Antioxidant power increased, despite the A-PP reduction, for the presence of fermentation metabolites having aromatic-substituent. TP and TPF both have anti-inflammatory properties that were strictly dependent upon the A-PP content. Fermentation preserved the anti-inflammatory activity and the Partial Least Square (PLS) identified as the most active molecules naringenin chalcone, kaempferol, gallic acid, and cinnamic acid, together with the definition of the active dose.

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PMID: 

Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2020 Feb 21. Epub 2020 Feb 21. PMID: 32086788

Abstract Title: 

Accelerating healing of excisional wound with alginate hydrogel containing naringenin in rat model.

Abstract: 

Wounds have always been considered as one of the most common physical damages. Therefore, various researches have been conducted to find an appropriate method to improve wound healing process. Among various materials, since hydrogels have appropriate properties for wound healing, they are widely used for this purpose. In this study, to develop a potential wound dressing, different concentrations of naringenin (0%, 1%, 10% and 20%) were incorporated in alginate hydrogel followed by evaluating its characters such as morphology, swelling properties, weight loss, antibacterial activity, releasing profile of the naringenin, hemo-, and cytocompatibility. Finally, to evaluate the effect of developed hydrogels on wound healing, the full-thickness dermal wound model in rat was used. Our results provided that the prepared hydrogels have appropriate porosity (86.7 ± 5.3%) with the interconnected pores. Moreover, weight loss assessment confirmed that fabricated hydrogels have suitable biodegradability (about 89% after 14 days). MTT assay also revealed the positive effect of hydrogels on cell viabilities, and they have no toxicity effect on cells. In vivo study indicated that the prepared hydrogels had better wound closure than the gauze-treated wound (the control), and alginate/20% naringenin group had the best wound closure among other groups. All in all, this study concluded that alginate/naringenin hydrogel has positive effect on wound healingprocess, and it can be used to treat skin injuries in the clinic. Graphical abstract.

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PMID: 

Eur J Nutr. 2011 Mar ;50(2):81-8. Epub 2010 Jun 23. PMID: 20567977

Abstract Title: 

Dietary naringenin increases hepatic peroxisome proliferators-activated receptorα protein expression and decreases plasma triglyceride and adiposity in rats.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Naringenin, a flavonoid present in grapefruit, has recently been shown to exert hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects, which has a particular importance for protecting against chronic diseases. However, the lipid-lowering potential of naringenin at the concentrations in the dietary range and its underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated.AIM: The aim of the present study was (1) to investigate the effects of dietary naringenin on plasma and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol levels and on adipose deposition in rat and (2) to determine the contribution of hepatic peroxisome proliferators-activated receptorα (PPARα) expression to fatty acid oxidation.METHODS: Male Long-Evans hooded rats were fed a diet supplemented with naringenin (0.003, 0.006, and 0.012%) for 6 weeks. We analyzed plasma and hepatic lipid contents and determined the protein expression of PPARα, carnitine-palmitoyl transferase 1L (CPT-1), and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), all of which are critical genes for fatty acid oxidation.RESULTS: Naringenin supplementation caused a significant reduction in the amount of total triglyceride and cholesterol in plasma and liver. In addition, naringenin supplementation lowered adiposity and triglyceride contents in parametrial adipose tissue. Naringenin-fed animals showed a significant increase in PPARα protein expression in the liver. Furthermore, expression of CPT-1 and UCP2, both of which are known to be regulated by PPARα, was markedly enhanced by naringenin treatment.CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the activation of PPARα transcription factor and upregulation of its fatty acid oxidation target genes by dietary naringenin may contribute to the hypolipidemic and anti-adiposity effects in vivo.

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PMID: 

Climacteric. 2015 Apr ;18(2):299-310. Epub 2014 Sep 6. PMID: 24940994

Abstract Title: 

Amla prevents fructose-induced hepatic steatosis in ovariectomized rats: role of liver FXR and LXRα.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES: Increased fructose consumption causes dyslipidemia and fatty liver in postmenopausal women, both independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study explored the potential mechanisms by which amla (Emblica officinalis) reduced hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia and prevented fatty liver in a fructose-fed, ovariectomized rat model of menopause.METHODS: Sham-operated and ovariectomized rats were put on a chow or high fructose diet. They were further divided into groups with or without amla. After 18 weeks of treatment, livers were harvested and subjected to Western blot and histological analyses.RESULTS: In all groups, amla increased the protein expression of liver farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and liver X receptor (LXR), key proteins involved in lipid metabolism. Fructose-fed rats developed fatty liver and amla prevented this. Here amla produced an exceptional rise in LXR and insulin-induced gene-2 (Insig-2) which prevented the maturation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and steroyl CoA desaturase-1, responsible for triglyceride synthesis. Amla also increased the protein expression of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), involved in high density lipoprotein (HDL) synthesis as well as low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) responsible for uptake of LDL cholesterol. Besides this, amla increased the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptorα (PPARα) involved in β oxidation of fatty acids.CONCLUSIONS: Amla increased the protein expression of liver FXR, LXRα, PPARα and their downstream proteins Insig-2, ABCA1 and LDLR. This property of amla to modulate some of the key proteins involved in lipid metabolism promises its usefulness as a preventive agent for dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis.

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PMID: 

Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem. 2020 Jan 31. Epub 2020 Jan 31. PMID: 32003703

Abstract Title: 

Mitigating Perspectives of Asiatic acid in the Renal derangements of Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide induced Diabetic Rats.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The present study was convened to evaluate the mitigating effects of Asiatic acid (AA), on the changes in carbohydrate metabolism, insulin signaling molecules and renal function markers in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NAD) induced diabetic rats.METHODS: AA (20 mg/kg BW) was supplemented orally to the diabetic rats for 42 days. The levels of plasma glucose, hemoglobin (Hb), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) insulin and renal function markers, carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in the kidney and insulin signaling molecules in skeletal muscle were measured.RESULTS: The administration of AA elicited a significant decrease in the levels of plasma glucose, insulin resistance, HbA1c, urea, uric acid, creatinine, glycogen, glycogen synthase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and a significant increase of body weight development, insulin, Hb, hexokinase, and glycogen phosphorylase and mRNA expressions of insulin signaling molecule like insulin receptor 1, insulin receptor 2 and glucose transporter-4 in the STZ-NAD induced diabetic rats. Further, the protective effect of AA was evidenced by its histological annotation of the kidney tissues.CONCLUSION: Hence, this study concluded that AA can protect against renal dysfunction by attenuating carbohydrate metabolic disorder and subsequently enhances glucose utilization and renal function in STZ-NAD-induced diabetic rats.

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PMID: 

Biomed Res Int. 2020 ;2020:1874387. Epub 2020 Feb 10. PMID: 32104680

Abstract Title: 

Asiatic Acid Interferes with Invasion and Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells by Inhibiting WAVE3 Activation through PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

Abstract: 

Objective: To explore the ability of asiatic acid to interfere with the invasion and proliferation of breast cancer cells by inhibiting WAVE3 expression and activation through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Methods: The MDA-MB-231 cells with strong invasiveness were screened by transwell assay, and plasmids with high expression of WAVE3 were constructed for transfection. The transfection effect and protein expression level of plasmids were verified by PCR and WB. The effects of asiatic acid on cell proliferation and invasion were investigated by flow cytometry. The xenografted tumor models in nude mice were established to study the antitumor activity of asiatic acid.Results: Asiatic acid significantly inhibited the activity of MDA-MB-231 cells, and the expression level of WAVE3 increased significantly in the tissue of ductal carcinoma in situ and was lower than that in the metastasis group. After plasmid transfection, the mRNA and protein expression of WAVE3 increased significantly in the cells. Asiatic acid at different concentrations had an impact on cell apoptosis and invasion and could significantly inhibit the expression of WAVE3, P53, p-PI3K, p-AKT, and other proteins. The T/C(%) of asiatic acid (50 mg/kg) for MDA-MB-231(F10) xenografted tumor in nude mice was 46.33%, with a tumor inhibition rate of 59.55%. Asiatic acid could significantly inhibit the growth of MDA-MB-231 (F10) xenografted tumors in nude mice (

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2018 Dec ;108:1274-1281. Epub 2018 Oct 3. PMID: 30372828

Abstract Title: 

Suppression of abdominal fat and anti-hyperlipidemic potential of Emblica officinalis: Upregulation of PPARs and identification of active moiety.

Abstract: 

Since ancient time, Emblica officinalis (E. officinalis) is being used for the management of various ailments. Phytochemical analysis proves that fruit juice of E. officinalis contains high amount gallic acid, which could be responsible for medicinal potentials. Hence in this study, gallic acid and fruit juice of E. officinalis were evaluated for anti-hyperlipidemic potential in various experimental animal models. Experimentally, hyperlipidemia was induced through administration of poloxamer-407, tyloxapol and high-fat-diet supplement in rats. Treatment with gallic acid as well as fruit juice of E. officinalis decreased plasma cholesterol and reduced oil infiltration in liver and aorta. Mechanistically, E. officinalis increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-α (PPARα) expression and increased activity of lipid oxidation through carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) along with decreased activity of hepatic lipogenic enzymes i.e. glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and malic enzyme (ME). Additionally, E. officinalis increased cholesterol uptake through increased LDL-receptor expressions on hepatocytes and decreased LDL-receptor degradation due to decreased proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression. Simultaneously, E. officinalis showed ability to restore glucose homeostasis through increased Glut4 and PPARγ protein expression in adipose tissue. These findings exposed central role of gallic acid in E. officinalis arbitrated anti-hyperlipidemic action through upregulation of PPARs, Glut4 and lipogenic enzymes, and decreased expression of PCSK9 and lipogenic enzymes. Findings from this experiment demonstrated that E. officinalis is a potential therapy for management of hyperlipidemia and gallic acid could be a potential lead candidate.

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