PMID: 

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2020 Feb 1 ;21(2):479-484. Epub 2020 Feb 1. PMID: 32102527

Abstract Title: 

Anti-Cancer Effects of Traditional Medicinal Herbs on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUNDS: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is among the most frequent oral cancers in individuals under 40. Documents have endorsed that a diet enriched with fruit and vegetables can banish the risk of developing major cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of four medicinal herbs including saffron, ginger, cinnamon and curcumin on OSCC cell line.METHODS: Having obtained the aqueous extract of the four herbs, they were administered on OSCC cell lines per se and in dual, triple, and quadruple combinations. Their effects were measured in different concentrations and in 24 and 48 hours by using MTT assay.RESULTS: The minimum and maximum effective concentrations were respectively 108 and 217 mg/ml for curcumin with IC30 of 77mg/ml, 108 and 270 mg/ml for ginger with IC30 of 58 mg/ml, 2 and 10 mg/ml for saffron with IC30 of 1.9 mg/ml, and 5 and 40 mg/ml for cinnamon with IC30 of 3.3 mg/ml. The best effect of the combinations was seen for cinnamon-saffron after both 24 and 48 hours and the four herbs combination after 48 hours.CONCLUSION: Although all the four herbs were effective on OSCC cell line, the strongest extract was saffron, followed by cinnamon. Combination of cinnamon-saffron and combination of the four herbs showed maximum effects. These findings suggest that traditional medicinal herbs may potentially contribute to oral cancer treatment; providing new windows for the development of new therapeutic strategies for OSCC.

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PMID: 

Public Health Nutr. 2020 Feb 28:1-10. Epub 2020 Feb 28. PMID: 32106903

Abstract Title: 

Tree nut snack consumption is associated with better diet quality and CVD risk in the UK adult population: National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2008-2014.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES: To examine associations of tree nut snack (TNS) consumption with diet quality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in UK adults from National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2008-2014.DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis using data from 4-d food diaries, blood samples and physical measurements for CVD risk markers. To estimate diet quality, modified Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and modified Healthy Diet Score (HDS) were applied. Associations of TNS consumption with diet quality and markers of CVD risk were investigated using survey-adjusted multivariable linear regression adjusted for sex, age, ethnicity, socio-economic and smoking status, region of residency and total energy and alcohol intake.SETTING: UK free-living population.SUBJECTS: 4738 adults (≥19 years).RESULTS: TNS consumers had higher modified MDS and HDS relative to non-consumers. TNS consumers also had lower BMI, WC, SBP and DBP and higher HDL compared to non-consumers, although a dose-related fully adjusted significant association between increasing nut intake (g per 4184 kJ/1000 kcal energy intake) and lower marker of CVD risk was only observed for SBP. TNS consumption was also associated with higher intake of total fat, mono-, n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibre, vitamin A, thiamin, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and iron; and lower intake of saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, total carbohydrate, starch, free sugar, sodium and chloride.CONCLUSIONS: TNS consumers report better dietary quality and consumption was associated with lower CVD risk factors. Encouraging replacement of less healthy snacks with TNS should be encouraged as part of general dietary guidelines.

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PMID: 

Cancer Med. 2019 Nov ;8(16):6923-6932. Epub 2019 Sep 30. PMID: 31568698

Abstract Title: 

Whey protein isolate supplementation improves body composition, muscle strength, and treatment tolerance in malnourished advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Abstract: 

In recent years, whey proteins (WP) have attracted increasing attention in health and disease for their bioactive functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of WP isolate (WPI) supplementation in addition to nutritional counseling in malnourished advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT). In a single-center, randomized, pragmatic, and parallel-group controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02065726), 166 malnourished advanced cancer patients with mixed tumor entities candidate to or undergoing CT were randomly assigned to receive nutritional counseling with (N = 82) or without (N = 84) WPI supplementation (20 g/d) for 3 months. The primary endpoint was the change in phase angle (PhA). Secondary endpoints included changes in standardized PhA (SPA), fat-free mass index (FFMI), body weight, muscle strength, and CT toxicity (CTCAE 4.0 events). In patients with the primary endpoint assessed (modified intention-to-treat population), counseling plus WPI (N = 66) resulted in improved PhA compared to nutritional counseling alone (N = 69): mean difference, 0.48° (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.90) (P = .027). WPI supplementation also resulted in improved SPA(P = .021), FFMI (P = .041), body weight (P = .023), muscle strength (P 

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PMID: 

Sci Total Environ. 2020 Feb 20 ;704:135400. Epub 2019 Nov 16. PMID: 31836223

Abstract Title: 

Neonicotinoid-induced mortality risk for bees foraging on oilseed rape nectar persists despite EU moratorium.

Abstract: 

The implication of neonicotinoids in bee declines led in 2013 to an EU moratorium on three neonicotinoids in bee-attractive crops. However, neonicotinoids are frequently detected in wild flowers or untreated crops suggesting that neonicotinoids applied to cereals can spread into the environment and harm bees. Therefore, we quantified neonicotinoid residues in nectar from winter-sown oilseed rape in western France collected within the five years under the EU moratorium. We detected all three restricted neonicotinoids. Imidacloprid was detected in all years with no clear declining trend but a strong inter- and intra-annual variation and maximum concentrations exceeding reported concentrations in treated crops. No relation to non-organic winter-sown cereals was identified even though these were the only crops treated with imidacloprid, but residue levels depended on soil type and increased with rainfall. Simulating acute and chronic mortality suggests a considerable risk for nectar foraging bees. We conclude that persistent imidacloprid soil residues diffuse on a large scale in the environment and substantially contaminate a major mass-flowering crop. Despite the limitations of case-studies and risk simulations, our findings provide additional support to the recent extension of the moratorium to a permanent ban in all outdoor crops.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 Feb 7 ;12(2). Epub 2020 Feb 7. PMID: 32046004

Abstract Title: 

Relationship between Inflammatory Food Consumption and Age-Related Hearing Loss in a Prospective Observational Cohort: Results from the Salus in Apulia Study.

Abstract: 

: Age related hearing loss (ARHL) affects about one third of the elderly population. It is suggested that the senescence of the hair cells could be modulated by inflammation. Thus, intake of anti- and pro-inflammatory foods is of high interest.METHODS: From the MICOL study population, 734 participants were selected that participated in the 2013 to 2018 examination including hearing ability and from which past data collected in 2005/2008 was available. ARHL status was determined and compared cross-sectionally and retrospectively according to clinical and lifestyle data including food and micronutrient intake.RESULTS: ARHL status was associated with higher age but not with education, smoking, relative weight (BMI), and clinical-chemical blood markers in the crossectional and retrospective analyses. Higher intake of fruit juices among ARHL-participants was seen cross-sectionally, and of sugary foods, high-caloric drinks, beer, and spirits retrospectively. No difference was found for the other 26 food groups and for dietary micronutrients with the exception of past vitamin A, which was higher among normal hearing subjects.CONCLUSIONS: Pro-inflammatory foods with a high-sugar content and also beer and spirits were found to be assocated with positive ARHL-status, but not anti-inflammatory foods. Diet could be a candidate for lifestyle advice for the prevention of ARHL.

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PMID: 

Gene. 2020 Feb 8 ;737:144428. Epub 2020 Feb 8. PMID: 32045658

Abstract Title: 

Investigation of possible effects of apigenin, sorafenib and combined applications on apoptosis and cell cycle in hepatocellular cancer cells.

Abstract: 

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver tumors. There is only one chemodrug for treatment called sorafenib that is an effective multikinase inhibitor. However, most of the patients gain resistance to sorafenib treatment in six months. Thus, there is a limitation for treatment of HCC. Apigenin is a natural flavonoid that has been used for many years as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study is to investigate the combined therapeutic effects of sorafenib and apigenin upon apoptosis and cell cycle on HepG2 cell line. Cytotoxic effects of sorafenib and apigenin on HepG2 cells were determined by XTT assay. Effects of single and combined treatment on cell migration, invasion and colony formation were analysed by wound healing, transwell matrigel invasion assay and colony formation assay, respectively. TUNEL assay was performed for analyse apoptosis rates. Expression changes of genes related with apoptosis and cell cycle were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR. Combined treatment of sorafenib and apigenin has more decreasing effects on cell viability than single treatment groups. Also, combination group caused significant increase of apoptotic cells. Migration and invasion capability of cells in combined treatment group are decreased. Lastly, quantitative real-time PCR results showed that combination of both drugs arrested cell cycle and increased apoptotic gene expressions more than single treatment groups. This is the first study that investigating the combined treatment of sorafenib and apigenin on HCC in vitro. By combined treatment, apigenin potentiates sorafenib cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells. Effects of combined treatment on migration, invasion, apoptosis and gene expressions showed that may sorafenib and apigenin have synergistic effect.

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PMID: 

J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2020 Feb 11:e22472. Epub 2020 Feb 11. PMID: 32048452

Abstract Title: 

Apigenin alleviated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in low protein-fed rats: Targeting oxidative stress, STAT3, and apoptosis signals.

Abstract: 

Apigenin (API) is a natural flavonoid abundant in fruits and vegetables. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of protein malnutrition (PMN) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity, together with the protective effects of API, in male Wistar albino rats. In total, 64 male rats were divided into eight groups. Silymarin (SIL) (100 mg/kg, PO) as a reference standard and API (50 mg/kg, PO) were given to normal and APAP-induced hepatic injury in low protein-fed rats. The present results revealed that PMN significantly potentiated APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Interestingly, the administration of SIL and API alleviated the induced damage, as revealed by reduced serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities along with a significant improvement of the histopathological damage. API suppressed inflammatory response by reducing the interleukin-1β level and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 expressions along with attenuating oxidative stress as shown by a significant reduction in liver contents of malondialdehyde and nitrite/nitrate as well as restoration of hepatic content of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity. API also counteracted apoptosis through downregulation of caspase-3 expression level. In conclusion, PMN greatly potentiated the hepatotoxic effects of APAP, and API produced a multimechanistic hepatoprotective activity that can be attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2020 Feb 14. Epub 2020 Feb 14. PMID: 32059077

Abstract Title: 

Apigenin as an anticancer agent.

Abstract: 

Apigenin is an edible plant-derived flavonoid that has been reported as an anticancer agent in several experimental and biological studies. It exhibits cell growth arrest and apoptosis in different types of tumors such as breast, lung, liver, skin, blood, colon, prostate, pancreatic, cervical, oral, and stomach, by modulating several signaling pathways. Apigenin induces apoptosis by the activation of extrinsic caspase-dependent pathway by upregulating the mRNA expressions of caspase-3, caspase-8, and TNF-α. It induces intrinsic apoptosis pathway as evidenced by the induction of cytochrome c, Bax, and caspase-3, while caspase-8, TNF-α, and B-cell lymphoma 2 levels remained unchanged in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Apigenin treatment leads to significant downregulation of matrix metallopeptidases-2, -9, Snail, and Slug, suppressing invasion. The expressions of NF-κB p105/p50, PI3K, Akt, and the phosphorylation of p-Akt decreases after treatment with apigenin. However, apigenin-mediated treatment significantly reduces pluripotency marker Oct3/4 protein expression which might be associatedwith the downregulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling.

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PMID: 

Immunol Invest. 2020 Feb 26:1-14. Epub 2020 Feb 26. PMID: 32100582

Abstract Title: 

Modulation of Th17 Proliferation and IL-17A Gene Expression by Acetylated Form of Apigenin in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract: 

The presence of Th17 cells in CNS lesion of MS patients due to their inflammatory cytokines secretion is in line with the deterioration of the disease. Currently, the use of natural compounds with anti-inflammatory properties such as flavonoids have been considered to reduce inflammation in these patients, but the remaining issue is how deliver these compounds to the site of inflammation. Acetylation is a way to better uptake compound by cells and cross through cellular layers with tight junctions. This study aimed to investigate theeffects of the Apigenin 3-Acetate on Th17 cells of MS patients and compare its efficacy with Apigenin and Methyl Prednisolone Acetate.IC50 for Apigenin 3-Acetate, and Methyl Prednisolone Acetate were determined using three healthy volunteers. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of five MS patients were isolated and co-cultured with a selected dose of Apigenin, Apigenin 3-Acetate, and Methyl Prednisolone Acetate for 48 hr, and then theproliferation of Th17 cells in isolated PBMCs was assessed by flow cytometry. The levels of RAR-related orphan receptor (RORC) and IL-17A expression were also determined by quantitative real-time PCR.The results showed that Apigenin 3-Acetate inhibited Th17 cells proliferation (P value: 0.018) at 80µM concentration after 48 hr. Additionally, IL-17A gene expression significantly (P value≤ 0.0001) inhibited by Apigenin, Apigenin 3-Acetate and Methyl Prednisolone Acetate in 80 µM, 80 µM and 2.5 µM (selected dose in IC50 determination) respectively These results demonstrate that Acetate increases anti-inflammatory effects of Apigenin on Th17 cells.

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2020 Feb 22. Epub 2020 Feb 22. PMID: 32086980

Abstract Title: 

Investigation of rosemary herbal extracts (Rosmarinus officinalis) and their potential effects on immunity.

Abstract: 

The discovery of new curative drugs and the consumption of natural dietary ingredients with the ability to exhibit immunomodulatory activity is urgently needed to decrease the risk of chronic diseases among the population. Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic plant that has been traditionally and medicinally used as a carminative, antispasmodic, painkiller, circulatory tonic, to stimulate hair growth and to improve memory dysfunction. This study aimed to assess the potential effects of rosemary solvent extracts on human immune function. Science Direct, Web of Science, Wiley, Elsevier, PubMed, Scopus, and the Google scholar search engines were used to retrieve relevant information included combinations of"rosemary"or"R. officinalis"with"immune function,""immunity,""immune system,""anti-inflammatory,""inflammation,"or"health benefit."A number of studies have been found a stimulatory effect of rosemary and its active compounds on the immune system in vitro and animal study, but there is a lack of evidence in humans for supporting this. The results demonstrated the potential of rosemary and its main active components as dietary ingredients with immunomodulatory functionality. Human studies should be performed and a double-blind randomized controlled trial would be ideal.

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