PMID: 

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 ;2020:4650207. Epub 2020 Jan 25. PMID: 32047577

Abstract Title: 

The Citrus Flavonoid Naringenin Protects the Myocardium from Ageing-Dependent Dysfunction: Potential Role of SIRT1.

Abstract: 

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) enzyme plays a pivotal role in the regulation of many physiological functions. In particular, it is implicated in ageing-related diseases, such as cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarct, and endothelial dysfunction; moreover, its expression decreases with age. Therefore, an effective strategy to extend the lifespan and improve cardiovascular function is the enhancement of the expression/activity of SIRT1 with exogenous agents. The Citrus flavonoid naringenin (NAR) presents structural similarity with the natural SIRT1 activator resveratrol. In this study, we demonstrate throughassays that NAR significantly activates SIRT1 enzyme and shows antisenescence effects. The binding mode of NAR into SIRT1 was detailed investigated throughstudies. Moreover, chronic administration (for six months) of NAR (100 mg/kg/day) to 6-month-old mice leads to an enhancement of SIRT1 expression and a marked reduction of reactive oxygen species production in myocardial tissue. Furthermore, at the end of the treatment, the plasma levels of two well-known markers of cardiovascular inflammation, TNF-and IL6, are significantly reduced in 12-month-old mice treated with NAR, as well as the cardiovascular risk (total cholesterol/HDL ratio) compared to control mice. Finally, the age-associated fibrotic remodeling, which is well detected through a Mallory trichrome staining in the vehicle-treated 12-month-old mice, is significantly reduced by the chronic treatment with NAR. Moreover, an improvement of myocardium functionality is highlighted by the enhancement of citrate synthase activity and stabilization of the mitochondrial membrane potential after NAR treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that a nutraceutical approach with NAR may have positive impacts on many critical hallmarks of myocardial senescence, contributing to improve the cardiac performance in aged subjects.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2019 Feb 6 ;11(2). Epub 2019 Feb 6. PMID: 30736329

Abstract Title: 

Impact of SchisandraChinensis Bee Pollen on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Gut Microbiota in HighFat Diet Induced Obese Mice.

Abstract: 

bee pollen has been used as a health food in China for centuries; however, its bioactive constituents and functions are not very clear. In this study, we investigated the phenolic compounds ofbee pollen extract (SCPE) by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS/HPLC-DAD-ECD and its prevention from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and modulation of gut microbiota in high fat diet induced obese C57BL/6 mice. The results showed that 12 phenolic compounds were identified in SCPE, and naringenin, rutin and chrysin were the main constituents. The content of naringenin reached 1.89 mg/g, and total phenolic content (TPC) of SCPE were 101.83 mg GA/g. After obese mice were administrated with SCPE at 7.86 and 15.72 g/kg BW for 8 weeks, body weight gains were reduced by 18.23% and 19.37%. SCPE could decrease fasting blood glucose, cut down the lipid accumulation in serum and liver, lessen oxidative injury and inflammation in obesity mice. Moreover, SCPE could effectively inhibit the formation of NAFLD by inhibition of LXR-α, SREBP-1c and FAS genes expression, and modulate the structural alteration of gut microbiota in obesity mice. These findings suggested that SCPE could attenuate the features of the metabolism syndrome in obesity mice, which can be used to prevent obesity and NAFLD of human beings.

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PMID: 

Food Res Int. 2019 Aug ;122:241-251. Epub 2019 Apr 10. PMID: 31229077

Abstract Title: 

Rape bee pollen alleviates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by neutralizing IL-1β and regulating the gut microbiota in mice.

Abstract: 

Colitis is a major chronic disease in today's society. Consumption of phenolic compounds can protect against colitis. We examined the phenolic compounds of rape bee pollen extract (RPE) and investigated its prevention of DSS-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice. HPLC-DAD-ECD analysis showed that 7 phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in RPE, of which kaempferol had the highest content (19.87 mg/g), followed by sinapic acid and rosmarinic acid. RPE at 21.2 g/kg BW (HD – high-dose group) and 10.6 g/kg BW (LD – low-dose group) ameliorated colon shortening, spleen swelling and colon weight reduction, improved the structure of colonic villi, glandular structures and crypts, which wasfurther confirmed by conventional histological assessment, and inhibited the activities of related inflammatory cytokines. In particular, IL-1β expression was downregulated by approximately 90% compared with that of the model group. Additionally, treatment with RPE altered the gut microbial structure of mice with colitis, showing that the abundances of Allobaculum and Bacteroides were significantly reduced and the abundance of Lactobacillus was markedly increased. This study indicated that RPE could protect the colon from DSS-induced colitis by increasing antioxidant capacity, alleviating inflammation and regulating the gut microbiota. This paper was conducted to investigate the potent protective effects of RPE treatments on a mouse model of colitis and provided new ideas for the application of rape bee pollen.

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PMID: 

Metab Brain Dis. 2020 Jan ;35(1):215-224. Epub 2019 Oct 17. PMID: 31625070

Abstract Title: 

The therapeutic and protective effects of bee pollen against prenatal methylmercury induced neurotoxicity in rat pups.

Abstract: 

The current study evaluated the protective and therapeutic potency of bee pollen in ameliorating the toxic effects of methylmercury (MeHg), by measuring certain biochemical parameters related to neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and glutamate excitotoxicity in the male neonate brain. Healthy, pregnant female rats (N = 40) were randomly divided into 5 groups, each comprising10 male neonates, as follows: (i) neonates delivered by control mothers; (ii) neonates delivered by MeHg-treated mothers who received 0.5 mg/kg BW/day MeHg via drinking water from gestational day 7 till postnatal day 7; (iii) neonates delivered by bee pollen treated mothers who received 200-mg/kg BW bee pollen from postnatal day 0 for 4 weeks; (iv) protective group of neonates delivered by MeHg and bee pollen-treated mothers, who continued to receive bee pollen until day 21 at the same dose, and (v) therapeutic group of neonatesdelivered by MeHg- treated mothers followed by bee pollen treatment, wherein they received 200-mg/kg BW bee pollen from postnatal day 0 for 4 weeks. Selected biochemical parameters in brain homogenates from each group were measured. MeHg-treated groups exhibited various signs of brain toxicity, such as a marked reduction in neurotransmitters (serotonin (5-HT), nor-adrenalin (NA), dopamine (DA)) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and elevated levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), caspase-3, and glutamate (Glu). Bee pollen effectively reduced the neurotoxic effects of MeHg. Minimal changes in all measured parameters were observed in MeHg-treated animals compared to the control group. Therefore, bee pollen may safely improve neurotransmitter defects, inflammation, apoptosis, and glutamate excitotoxicity.

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PMID: 

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2019 Nov 11:110636. Epub 2019 Nov 11. PMID: 31757446

Abstract Title: 

Protective effect of guarana-loaded liposomes on hemolytic activity.

Abstract: 

Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke, popularly known as guarana, is one of the most promising plants in Brazilian flora and has attracted considerable interest from the scientific community owing to its numerous therapeutic activities and less side effects. Hence, using nanotechnology is a viable alternative to primarily improve the physicochemical characteristics and bioavailability of guarana. The objective of the present study was to develop, characterize, and evaluate the stability of liposomes containing guarana powder and to evaluate their antioxidant and hemolytic activity in vitro. Three different concentrations of guarana powder and two methods of liposome preparation were tested. Liposomes were developed and characterized, and their stability was analyzed by evaluating physicochemical parameters. Hemolytic activity of guarana liposomal formulation (G-Lip) was compared with that of guarana in its free form (FG) and of liposome without guarana (W-Lip). Red blood cells from rats were exposed to these different formulations dissolved in phosphate buffer solution (PBS; pH 7.4). The best stability was achieved for the formulation containing 1 mg mLguarana powder produced by the reverse phase evaporation method. FG showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity, which was maintained in G-Lip. W-Lip showed high hemolytic activity in PBS at pH 7.4 possibly because of the presence of polysorbate 80, and on addition of guarana to these structures, the hemolytic process was reversed. The same protective effect was observed for FG. It is believed that the complex structure of guarana, primarily the presence of polyphenols, exerts a powerful antioxidant action, helping to protect erythrocytes.

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PMID: 

Nutr Hosp. 2019 Nov 20. Epub 2019 Nov 20. PMID: 31746621

Abstract Title: 

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) consumption improves hepatic and renal parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: this study aims to evaluate the protective action of the guarana compound on the biochemical profile of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats.METHOD: twenty-eight male Wistar Furth rats were divided into four groups of seven animals each: the control group (CG) was fed a standard diet; the guarana group (GG) was fed a standard diet supplemented with guarana; the diabetic group (DG) included alloxan-induced diabetic rats fed a standard diet; and the diabetic guarana group (DGG) included alloxan-induced diabetic rats fed a standard diet supplemented with guarana. Induction was performed by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan 150 mg/kg.RESULTS: LDL (CG: 24.64± 2,59; GG: 38.93 ± 7.19; DG: 14.9 ± 3.96; DGG: 20.8 ± 4.04 mg/dL); HDL (CG: 14.8 ± 4.86; GG: 13 ± 1.41; DG: 22.5 ± 7.81; DGG: 30.66 ± 9.02 mg/dL); ALT (CG: 31.8 ± 4.81; GG: 22.16 ± 1.83; DG: 38 ± 1.4; DGG: 26.83 ± 2.13 U/L); AST (CG: 101.8 ± 5.07; GG: 117.5 ± 9.73; DG: 183.6 ± 4.21;DGG: 116.16 ± 12 U/L); Urea (CG: 51.4 ± 5.03; GG: 42.5 ± 8.24; DG: 129.16 ± 31.72; DGG: 150.5 ± 36.02 mg/dL); Creatinine (CG: 0.6 ± 0.12; GG: 0.53 ± 0.05; DG: 0.78 ± 0.11; DGG: 0.61 ± 0.07 mg/dL).CONCLUSIONS: consumption of guarana (Paullinia cupana) by male Wistar Furth rats with alloxan induced diabetes without treatment had a beneficial effect on hepatic and renal function parameters, and raises the possibility of being used as supportive therapy in the treatment of diabetes.

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PMID: 

Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2019 ;18(2):151-161. PMID: 30488800

Abstract Title: 

Flower Pollen Extract in Association with Vitamins (Deprox 500®) Versus Serenoa repens in Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Comparative Analysis of Two Different Treatments.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is reported in the literature ranging from 1 to 14.2%. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact on patient's quality of life and symptoms of Flower pollen extract in association with vitamins (Deprox 500®) in comparison with Serenoa repens 320 mg (Permixon 320 mg® by Pierre Fabre) in patients with CP/CPPS.METHODOLOGY: All consecutive patients, with a diagnosis of CP/CPPS, referred to our center from January to August 2016, were screened to be enrolled in this single-center, randomized, controlled trial. The main outcome measure was the evaluation of IPSS/NIHCPSI (International Prostatic Symptom Score/NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index) score variation and the assessment of the quality of life and symptoms at the end of the therapy. The second outcome measure was the evaluation of the comorbidity role in the CP/CPPS therapy. 63 patients were analyzed; patients were randomized into two groups: 29 patients were treated with Deprox 500® 2 tablets/day for 6 weeks and 34 patients with Serenoa repens 320 mg, 1 tablet/day for 6 weeks.RESULTS: The mean score variation for IPSS was -12.7± 4.3 in the Deprox 500® group and -7.8 ± 4.7 in the Serenoa repens group (p=0.0005) while for NIH-CPSI was -17.3±3.1 in the Deprox 500® group and -13.6±4.8 in the Serenoa repens group (p=0.0016). By accounting only the symptoms part of NIH-CPSI questionnaire, the mean score variation reportedwas -11.5±2.5 in the Deprox 500® group and -9.02±4.0 in the Serenoa repens group (p=0.009321). Furthermore, analyzing the comorbidity subgroups, in patients with hypertension, the mean IPSS score variation was -14.3±3.2 in the Deprox 500® group and – 9.02±4.0 in the Serenoa repens group.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in patients with CP/CPPS, Deprox 500® improves IPSS and NIH-CPSI scores up to 74.5% and 84.5% respectively. Furthermore, in patients with hypertension, the antioxidant effect of Deprox 500® reduces the mean IPSS score of 82.7%.

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PMID: 

Urologia. 2013 Apr 24 ;80 Suppl 22:5-10. Epub 2013 Jan 16. PMID: 23334883

Abstract Title: 

Effects of pollen extract in association with vitamins (DEPROX 500®) for pain relief in patients affected by chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: results from a pilot study.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic efficacy of CP/CPPS is not very satisfactory and the impact on young male's quality of life is considerable. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of pollen extract associated with vitamins (DEPROX 500®) in order to improve the quality of life of young patients affected by chronic prostatitis type IIIb (CP/CPPS) by pain relieving.METHODS: All patients with clinical and instrumental diagnosis of CP/CPPS (class b) underwent DEPROX 500® 2 tablets in a single dose daily for 30 days. Clinical and microbiological analyses were carried out at the enrolment and after 1 month. NIH-CPSI and IPSS questionnaires have been used. The main outcome measure was the improvement of quality of life at the end of the whole study period, evaluatedby questionnaires results.RESULTS: 20 men (mean age 32.8± 6.78) were enrolled in this pilot study. The baseline questionnaire mean scores were 25.90 ± 2.1 and 8.01 ± 3.64 for NIH-CPSI and IPSS, respectively. At the follow-up examination (1 month after treatment), 18 out of 20 patients (90.0%) reported an improvement of quality of life, in terms of pain reduction. The questionnaire results after 1 month from treatment were as follows: NIH-CPSI 12.8 ± 2.20, IPSS 7.6 ± 1.58. Statistically significant differences were then reported between the two visits, in terms of NIH-CPSI scores (p

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PMID: 

Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2019 Jul 2 ;91(2). Epub 2019 Jul 2. PMID: 31266276

Abstract Title: 

Could pollen extract in association with vitamins be favorable in the reduction of chronic prostatic inflammation? A case-series analysis.

Abstract: 

The aim of the present case-series analysis was to assess the safety and efficacy of pollen extract in association with vitamins in order to reduce the chronic prostatic inflammation in patients with class IV chronic prostatitis (CP). Nineteen non-consecutive patients performed a prostate biopsy for a suspect of prostate cancer. The biopsy histopathological examination showed a class IV CP, in presence of mild/moderate/high degree of inflammation, in association with an extensive (multiple biopsy sites, i.e.,≥ 3) high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia PIN (HGPIN) and/or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP). According to EAU Prostate Cancer Guidelines prostate biopsy was repeated after 6 months, because of the presence of extensive HGPIN or ASAP. Oral administration of pollen extract in association with vitamins (two capsules every 24 h) was prescribed until the repeat biopsy. Repeat biopsy histopathological examination showed, in 13 patients (68.4%), a lower degree of inflammation (absent/mild/moderate).

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PMID: 

Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Jan 24 ;9(2). Epub 2020 Jan 24. PMID: 31991696

Abstract Title: 

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Pollen Extract Collected by: in silico, in vitro, and in vivo Studies.

Abstract: 

Bees are of great importance for plant diversity for being an important pollinating agents. Stingless bees such as, is cultivated largely due to the products offered by it. Pollen is one of these products, which has been highlighted for exhibit various therapeutic properties. Considering the bioactivity of this natural product, this study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive activities, and elucidated the chemical composition of pollen collected extract by. Using in vitro assays, the antioxidant potential and inhibitory activity against the COX enzyme from pollen extract was evaluated. Additionally, tests were performed to measure the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in animal models. In our results, we found that pollen extract showed antioxidant effects and inhibitory activity against the COX enzyme. The in vivo assays showed that the extract acts on the nervous system in local and systemic levels and that the anti-inflammatory activity is due the prostanoids reducing. Chemical analyses recognize 10 molecules in the extract belonging to the polyphenol and flavonoids classes and the computational study suggests that is responsible for the observed results. Thus, it is reported for the first time the biological potential ofpollen extract and we conclude that this bee product can be considered as one source of potential new drugs.