PMID: 

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2020 Feb ;47(2):187-198. Epub 2019 Nov 17. PMID: 31612510

Abstract Title: 

Potential roles of Citrulline and watermelon extract on metabolic and inflammatory variables in diabetes mellitus, current evidence and future directions: A systematic review.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent endocrine disorder worldwide. Citrulline is anα-amino acid, which is abundant in watermelon, and a precursor of arginine and nitric oxide. Decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide is associated with insulin resistance. The present systematic review focused on the existing evidence of citrulline and watermelon extract effects on metabolic andinflammatory parameters in diabetes mellitus.METHODS: A systematic search of the databases PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, ProQuest and Google Scholar was conducted for relevant papers published from inception until October 2018. All clinical trials, animal and in vitro studies published in the English language that assessed the role of citrulline and watermelon extract on diabetes mellitus, were eligible. Studies providing inadequate information were excluded.RESULTS: Out of 1262 articles we found, only eight articles met the inclusion criteria for analysis. In three studies an increase in the synthesis of nitric oxide was reported with citrulline and watermelon extract supplementation. Four studies showed a significant reduction in blood glucose after supplementation with watermelon extract, and two studies reported a decrease in a number of inflammatory biomarkers following citrulline supplementation. Although citrulline intake caused a significant reduction in HOMA-IR in one study, inconsistent results were revealed on the effects of citrulline and watermelon extract on insulin levels and lipid profile.CONCLUSION: Citrulline and watermelon extract could improve nitric oxide synthesis, glycaemic status and inflammation in diabetes mellitus. However, further studies are required to shed light on the underlying mechanisms.

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PMID: 

J Nutr. 2019 Nov 11. Epub 2019 Nov 11. PMID: 31711172

Abstract Title: 

Intake of Watermelon or Its Byproducts Alters Glucose Metabolism, the Microbiome, and Hepatic Proinflammatory Metabolites in High-Fat-Fed Male C57BL/6 J Mice.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Watermelon intake has demonstrated effects on blood pressure regulation along with other health benefits.OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that intake of whole watermelon and products made from watermelon rind (WR) and watermelon skin (WS) would remediate metabolic complications in C57BL/6 J male mice fed a diet modeling a Western-style diet.METHODS: Ten-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice were provided either a low-fat (LF) diet [10% fat (by energy), 8% sucrose (by energy) and no added cholesterol], a high-fat (HF) diet [45% fat (by energy), 20% kcal sucrose (by energy), and 1% (w/w) cholesterol], or an HF diet plus WS, WR, or watermelon flesh (WF) for 10 wk. Dried WF was provided at 8% of total energy (equivalent to 2 servings/d) and watermelon skin and rind were added at 2.25% (w/w, dry weight of additives) of diet. Animals were provided experimental diets ad libitum. Body weights, food intake, and glucose tolerance were determined. Serum insulin, inflammatory markers, microbiome, and the relative hepatic concentrations of 709 biochemicals were measured postmortem.RESULTS: The final body weight of the LF control group was significantly lower than that of the HF-fed control group (32.8 ± 0.9 g compared with 43.0 ± 1.7 g, P ≤ 0.05). Mice in treatment groups fed HF supplemented with watermelon products had final body weights similar to those of the HF-fed control mice. Serum insulin concentrations were reduced by ∼40% in mice fed an HF diet with WR supplementation compared with mice fed an HF diet alone (P ≤ 0.05). Depending on the individual species or group, microbiome populations changed significantly. Supplementation with WF resulted in a return to the basal hepatic concentrations of monohydroxy fatty acids and eicosanoids observed in LF-fed mice (P ≤ 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: In obese male mice, supplementation with each of the watermelon products to an HF diet improved fasting blood glucose, circulating serum insulin concentrations, and changes in hepatic metabolite accumulation. At a modest level of supplementation to an HF diet, fiber-rich additives made from WR and WS further improved glucose metabolism and energy efficiency and shifted the microbiome composition.

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High doses of vitamin C led to improved ventricular function and reduced duration of ICU stay among patients who had just undergone coronary artery bypass surgery

PMID: 

Arch Dis Child. 2019 Dec ;104(12):1138-1142. PMID: 31744794

Abstract Title: 

Screen of traditional soup broths with reported antipyretic activity towards the discovery of potential antimalarials.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: The global impact of artemisinin-based combination therapies on malaria-associated mortality and their origins in ancient Chinese medicine has heightened interest in the natural discovery of future antimalarials.METHODS: A double-blind study to identify potential ingredients with antimalarial activity from traditional remedies with reported antipyretic properties. Recipes of clear broths, passed down by tradition in families of diverse ethnic origin, were sourced by school children. Broths were then tested for their ability to arrest malaria parasite asexual growth or sexual stage development in vitro. Clear broth extract was incubated with in vitro cultures ofasexual or mature sexual stage cultures and assayed for parasite viability after 72 hours.RESULTS: Of the 56 broths tested, 5 were found to give>50% in vitro growth inhibition againstasexual blood stages, with 2 having comparable inhibition to that seen with dihydroartemisinin, a leading antimalarial. Four other broths were found to have>50% transmission blocking activity, preventing male parasite sexual stage development. After unblinding, two active broths were found to be from siblings from different classes, who had brought in the same vegetarian soup, demonstrating assay robustness.CONCLUSIONS: This screening approach succeeded in finding broths with activity against malaria parasitegrowth, arising from complex vegetable and/or meat-based broths. This represented a successful child education exercise, in teaching about the interface between natural remedies, traditional medicine and evidence-based drug discovery.

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PMID: 

Toxics. 2020 Jan 22 ;8(1). Epub 2020 Jan 22. PMID: 31979139

Abstract Title: 

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)-Induced Male Reproductive Dysfunction: A Mini Review.

Abstract: 

Reproductive dysfunction is often characterized by malfunction of the reproductive tissues, which may lead to disruption of the synergistic rhythm that should bring about a progression of sexual events and the conception of new life. This may therefore result in the sexual dysfunction and infertility that can be seen in couples having prolonged biological difficulty in reproducing their offspring after having unrestricted sexual intercourse for at least twelve months. Several factors have been implicated in the cause and progression of reproductive dysfunction, including poor nutrition, drug side effects, disease states, and toxicant ingestion. A well-known food additive that has been found to be potent at initiating reproductive anomalies in males is monosodium glutamate (MSG). This regular flavor enhancer is widely used as a taste enhancer in several diets. The different mechanisms by which it may induce reproductive dysfunctions include spermatogenic alteration resulting in a low sperm count, high sperm abnormality, reduced live sperm and decreased sperm pH, oxidative damage (increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities), histological alteration (blood hemorrhage, distorted germ and Sertoli cells), as well as gonadotropin imbalance (reduced testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations). Therefore, this review discusses various established mechanisms through which MSG may induce reproductive dysfunction and the treatment strategies to ameliorate its toxic effects.

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PMID: 

J Nutr Metab. 2020 ;2020:5349086. Epub 2020 Jan 7. PMID: 31998536

Abstract Title: 

Miso Soup Consumption Enhances the Bioavailability of the Reduced Form of Supplemental Coenzyme Q.

Abstract: 

Coenzyme Q(CoQ) is an essential compound that is involved in energy production and is a lipid-soluble antioxidant. Although it has been proposed as an antiaging and a health-supporting supplement, its low bioavailability remains a significant issue. Concurrent food intake enhances the absorption of orally administered CoQ, but it has not been fully established whether specific food substances affect intestinal CoQabsorption. Therefore, to determine whether the bioavailability of supplemental CoQis affected by diet, P30, a granulated and reduced form of CoQ, was dispersed in four different foods, clear soup, miso soup, milk soup, and raw egg sauce. Those foods which contained CoQwere consumed on different occasions at intervals of 6-14 weeks by the same participants. Thirteen participants were recruited in the single-dose and repeated clinical study. When miso soup containing P30 was provided, the serum CoQconcentration increased faster than when participants consumed other P30-containing soups or a P30-containing raw egg sauce. The area under the curve for serum CoQduring the first 5 h after consumption of the P30-containing miso soup was approximately 1.5 times larger than those after the consumption of other P30-containing meals. These data imply that the absorption of CoQsupplements can be enhanced by consuming them with food and in particular with specific food substances, such as miso soup.

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PMID: 

Toxicol Rep. 2020 ;7:269-276. Epub 2020 Jan 27. PMID: 32055450

Abstract Title: 

Protective effect of vitamin C on chronic carbamazepine-induced reproductive toxicity in male wistar rats.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of vitamin C on chronic carbamazepine-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. Four groups of 10 rats were respectively exposed to distilled water (2 ml/kg), vitamin C (100 mg/kg), carbamazepine (20 mg/kg) and vitamin C followed by CBZ, after 30 min.. The regimens were given by gavage once daily for 15 weeks. The pituitary glands and testicular tissues were assayed for oxidative stress parameters, sperm characteristics, relative weight and histological changes. Sera samples were also assayed for concentration of sex hormones. The results showed that treatment with vitamin C protected against the alteration in parameters measuring oxidative changes, sex hormones, sperm characteristics, relative pituitary and testicular weight and histological changes. The study concluded that protection against CBZ-induced alteration in reproductive parameters by vitamin C was partly due to its antioxidant effect.

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PMID: 

Nat Prod Res. 2019 Aug ;33(16):2308-2313. Epub 2018 Feb 23. PMID: 29473437

Abstract Title: 

Anti-breast cancer triterpenoid saponins from the thorns of.

Abstract: 

One new triterpenoid saponin (), as well as six known ones (), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the thorns of. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis in conjunction with chemical evidence. Cytotoxic activity of compoundswas evaluated against human breast cancer MCF 7 cellsby the MTT method. Our results revealed moderate activities for compoundswith ICvalues of 18.43, 30.47, 18.46, 10.02, 30.76, and 17.32 μM, respectively. Furthermore, compounds,,, andinduced apoptosis in MCF 7 cell, withandcausing late apoptosis of MCF 7 cells, whileandacting oppositely.

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PMID: 

Oncol Res. 2019 Aug 8 ;27(8):889-899. Epub 2019 Apr 2. PMID: 30940289

Abstract Title: 

Anticancer Effects ofExtract in Rats Transplanted With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Abstract: 

The thorns ofhave been historically used in Chinese medicine and are considered one of the fundamental therapeutic herbs. Its anticancer effects are currently being explored. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and still requires the development of new drugs with higher efficiency. By using a rat HCC model implanted with cancerous Walker-256 cells, the therapeutic effects ofextract (GSE) were assessed, as well as its regulatory effects on miRNAs. GSE significantly restored liver morphology and dramatically induced cell apoptosis in HCC rats. In addition, miR-21/181b/183 was upregulated in the HCC liver, and the elevation of these miRNAs could be alleviated by both GSE and sorafenib. PTEN/TIMP3/PDCD4 downregulation was consistent with the targets of miR-21/181b/183 in the HCC liver, and the alteration of these target genes was restored by both GSE and sorafenib. TIMP3 effects on MMP-2/9 expression were also determined. Our present findings indicate the potential of GSE in HCC treatment, and expand the understanding of miRNA-related mechanisms in the anticancer effects of GSE.

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PMID: 

J Sci Food Agric. 2020 Jan 30 ;100(2):672-681. Epub 2019 Nov 15. PMID: 31583701

Abstract Title: 

Reversing UVB-induced photoaging with Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx aqueous extract.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Hibiscus sabdariffa is commonly used in daily life and its extract is applied widely in food and cosmetics. However, it has not been evaluated for its anti-aging effects.RESULTS: Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx aqueous extract (HSCAE) has shown potential collagenase activity suppression effects, together with tyrosinase activity inhibition, and anti-oxidation as a free radical scavenger. The current investigation demonstrated that HSCAE was not cytotoxic in skin fibroblasts, and it significantly decreased ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) on a flow cytometry assay. Moreover, HSCAE reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, increased tissue inhibition of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 level, and enhanced collagen content by inhibiting collagenase activity. It also blocked mRNA and protein expressions of melanin production pathway key factors, including the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), and dopachrome tautomerase-2 (TRP-2).CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated, for the first time, the potential of HSCAE as a natural antioxidant with the ability to maintain collagen production and to decrease melanin syntheses under UVB radiation, for anti-aging effects.© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

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