PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2020 Jan 27. Epub 2020 Jan 27. PMID: 31989713

Abstract Title: 

Ginger and avocado as nutraceuticals for obesity and its comorbidities.

Abstract: 

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and is one of the factors involved in the etiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obesity induces low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress. The treatment for obesity involves changes in diet, physical activity, and even medication and surgery. Currently, the use of nutraceutical compounds is associated with health benefits. Ginger and avocado are used for many people all around the world; however, its effect as a nutraceutical compound is less known by the general population. For this reason, we searched information of the literature to point its effects on distinct mechanisms of defense against the obesity its comorbidities. The present review aimed showing that these nutraceuticals may be useful in obesity treatment. Reports have shown that ginger and avocado induce antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by improving enzymatic activity and modulating obesity-related impairments in the anti-inflammatory system in different tissues, without side effects. Furthermore, ginger and avocado were found to be effective in reversing the harmful effects of obesity on blood lipids. In conclusion, on the basis of the positive effects of ginger and avocado in in vitro, animal, and human studies, these nutraceuticals may be useful in obesity treatment.

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One study highlights the efficacy of Ayahuasca, a native Amazonian plant, as a powerful antidepressant in treatment-resistant depression

PMID: 

Int J Psychophysiol. 2020 Feb ;148:13-24. Epub 2019 Dec 14. PMID: 31846631

Abstract Title: 

Effects of 12-week avocado consumption on cognitive function among adults with overweight and obesity.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES: Excess adiposity increases risk for cognitive impairment. Consumption of avocado, a highly bioavailable source of the xanthophyll lutein, has been shown to improve retinal lutein accumulation and cognitive function. Thus, we evaluated the influence of avocado consumption on cognitive function and lutein status among adults with overweight and obesity using a randomized-controlled trial with matching design for pertinent study outcomes.METHODS: A cohort of 84 adults (25-45 years, 31 males) were randomized to a treatment group (N = 47) that received a 12-week daily meal with fresh Hass avocado or a control group (N = 37) that received an isocaloric meal (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02740439). Serum lutein and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) were used to assessxanthophyll status. Attention and inhibition were assessed using the Flanker, Oddball and Nogo tasks with accompanying electroencephalographic (EEG) recording.RESULTS: Participants in the treatment group exhibited improvements in serum lutein and accuracy in the Flanker task. However, there were no relationships between performance and changes in lutein status, nor neuroelectric variables. No significant changes in MPOD were observed.CONCLUSION: Daily avocado intake over 12 weeks, after controlling for covariates, improved attentional inhibition and increased serum lutein concentrations among adults with overweight and obesity. However, the cognitive benefits were independent of changes in lutein concentrations. Additional work is necessary to determine non-carotenoid, or carotenoid interactive, mechanisms by which avocados may influence cognitive function.

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PMID: 

Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2020 Jan 21. Epub 2020 Jan 21. PMID: 31980324

Abstract Title: 

Effect of an oral supplementation with a formula containing R-lipoic acid in glaucoma patients.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the safety and effectiveness of the oral administration of a commercialised supplement containing R-alpha lipoic acid, taurine, vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, copper and docosahexaenoic acid, in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and in control subjects.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study of cases and controls was carried out, including 30 participants of both genders that were divided into: POAG Group (n=15) and a control group (CG; n=15), assigned to the oral intake of NuaDHA preparations Vision® (1 pill/day)+NuaDHA 1000 (2 pills/day) for 6 months. Participants were interviewed, ophthalmologically examined, and peripheral blood was taken for routine analysis and the determination of the pro-oxidant (malondialdehyde) and total antioxidant status. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 22.0 program.RESULTS: After 6 months of supplementation, there was a significant increase in the plasma total antioxidant status (1.073±0.090mM vs 1.276±0.107mM, P=.028), along with a parallel decrease in malondialdehyde (7.066±1.070μM vs 2.771±0.462μM, P=.005) in the POAG group. The malondialdehyde also decreased in the control group (6.17±1.336 vs. 2.51±0.391, P=.028). The Schirmer test improved (20-30%) and the subjective dry eye signs/symptoms noticeably decreased in the POAG group versus the CG.CONCLUSIONS: Formulations containing antioxidant vitamins, R-alpha lipoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, administered for 6 consecutive months, counteracted the oxidative stress by further stabilising the morphological/functional parameters of both the ocular surface and the glaucoma, without presenting with adverse effects or intolerances.

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PMID: 

Biotech Histochem. 2020 Feb 4:1-12. Epub 2020 Feb 4. PMID: 32013590

Abstract Title: 

A light microscopic investigation of the renoprotective effects ofα-lipoic acid and α-tocopherol in an experimental diabetic rat model.

Abstract: 

We investigated the effects ofα-lipoic acid (AL) and α-tocopherol (AT) on renal histopathology in a streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat model. Adult male rats were divided into six groups: group 1, saline only; group 2, AL only; group 3, AT only; group 4, STZ only; group 5, STZ + AL; group 6 STZ + AT. Experimental diabetes was induced by STZ. AL and AT were administered for 15 days. Kidney sections were examined using a light microscope after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and caspase-3 staining. Histological damage to glomeruli, tubule epithelial cells and basement membrane was observed in group 4. Administration of AT and AL reduced renal injury in the diabetic rats. Group 5 exhibited a greater curative effect on diabetic rats than group 6. AT and AL may be useful for preventing diabetic renal damage.

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PMID: 

Andrology. 2019 Dec 26. Epub 2019 Dec 26. PMID: 31880092

Abstract Title: 

Lycopene attenuates chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation via the interaction of NF-κB, MAPKs, and Nrf2 signaling pathways in rats.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is identified as a urinary andrological diseases that afflict men due to various discomforts. It is urgent and meaningful to develop the novel and effective treatments as a result of the unclear etiology and dismal therapeutic effect of CP/CPPS. Lycopene exerts a crucial role in numerous chronic inflammatory diseases owing to its potent antioxidant capacity.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe the effect of lycopene on CP/CPPS and to explore the underlying mechanisms.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A CP/CPPS model with complete Freund's adjuvant was established in this study. Afterward, intragastric lycopene or corn oil was administered daily for 4 consecutive weeks. Finally, the cardiac blood and prostate tissue samples were collected from rats to carry out related evaluation and testing.RESULTS: It was found in this study that lycopene alleviated changes in prostate histopathology compared with those in the complete Freund's adjuvant-induced CP/CPPS model rats without lycopene treatment. Furthermore, lycopene was suggested to reduce the levels of chemokines MCP1 and MIP-1α, down-regulate the expression levels of cytokines (such as TNFα, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-6), and up-regulate those of CAT, GSH-PX, and T-SOD, decrease that of malondialdehyde. Moreover, it also inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and enhanced phosphorylation of the Nrf2 in the CP/CPPS rat model.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study suggest that lycopene exerts potent anti- CP/CPPS Seffects through alleviating inflammatory response and oxidative stress, which is probably attributed to the interaction of NF-κB, MAPKs, and Nrf2 signaling pathways in rats. As a natural antioxidant, lycopene may serve as a promising pharmaceutical preparation for treating CP/CPPS.

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Natural remedies can do wonders in treating painful mouth ulcers, stomach inflammation, wounds and infections

PMID: 

Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2019 ;12(3):817-825. Epub 2019 Mar 1. PMID: 31933889

Abstract Title: 

Lycopene attenuates LPS-induced liver injury by inactivation of NF-κB/COX-2 signaling.

Abstract: 

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of lycopene on LPS-induced liver injury in mice and its mechanisms.METHODS: Male C57bl/6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups: sham control group (S-C), LPS control group (L-C), lycopene treatment group (L-T). The mice from the L-T were treated with lycopene for 2 weeks, and the remaining mice with solvent. Afterwards, the mice from the L-C and the L-T received an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (20 mg/kg, dissolved in sterile saline), and the S-C mice were injected with sterile saline. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined for analysis of liver function. Levels of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), were detected in serum. Liver tissues were operated for morphologic analysis and determination of protein by western blot.RESULTS: Pretreatment with lycopene significantly decreased levels of ALT, AST, and TNF-α and IL-6, reduced MDA content, and increased activity of SOD in serum compared with the L-C mice. Lycopene increased expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and reduced expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2).CONCLUSION: The results showed that lycopene attenuates LPS-induced liver injury by reducing NF-κB/COX-2 signaling by upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 activation.

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PMID: 

Res Vet Sci. 2020 Jan 13 ;129:103-108. Epub 2020 Jan 13. PMID: 31954314

Abstract Title: 

Protective effects of lycopene against AFB-induced erythrocyte dysfunction and oxidative stress in mice.

Abstract: 

To evaluate the protective role of lycopene (LYC) against aflatoxin B(AFB)-induced erythrocyte dysfunction and oxidative stress, male kunming mice were treated with LYC (5 mg/kg) and/or AFB(0.75 mg/kg) by intragastric administration for 30 d. Hematological indices were detected to assess erythrocyte function. The erythrocytes C3b receptor rate (E-C3bRR) and erythrocytes C3b immune complex rosette rate (E-ICRR) were detected to assess erythrocyte immune function. Hydrogen peroxide (HO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined to evaluate erythrocyte oxidative stress. The results showed that LYC administration significantly relieved AFB-induced erythrocyte dysfunction by increasing the levels of red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT), as well as reducing red blood cell volume distribution width (RDW) level, while the levels of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean platelet volume (MPV) had no significant differences among the four groups. Besides, LYC ameliorated AFB1-induced erythrocyte immune dysfunction by increasing E-C3bRR and decreasing E-ICRR. Furthermore, LYC also alleviated AFB-induced erythrocyte oxidative stress by decreasing HOand MDA contents and increasing SOD and CAT activities. These results indicated that LYC protected against AFB-induced erythrocyte dysfunction and oxidative stress in mice. The findings could lead a possible therapeutics for the management of AFB-induced erythrocyte toxicity.

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PMID: 

Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2020 Jan 23:1-11. Epub 2020 Jan 23. PMID: 31971481

Abstract Title: 

Lower serum levels of alpha tocopherol and lycopene is associated with higher pain and physical disability in subjects with primary knee osteoarthritis: A case-control study.

Abstract: 

: We aimed to determine dietary intake and serum concentration ofα-tocopherol and lycopene in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in relation to pain intensity and functional status and comparing them with healthy controls.: This case-control study was conducted among 35 patients with primary KOA and 35 matched healthy subjects selected using convenience sampling method. Dietary intakes of alpha-tocopherol and lycopene were estimated from 24-hour dietary records. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) index were used to assess the pain and functional status, respectively.: Serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol ( = ) and lycopene ( = ) were significantly lower in OA patients in comparison with healthy controls. Dietary intake of alpha-tocopherol was negatively associated with total WOMAC score ( =  = ) and pain ( =  = ) and physical function ( =  = ) subscales. Dietary intake of lycopene was negatively associated with total WOMAC score ( =  

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