PMID: 

J Neurosurg Sci. 2020 Jan 20. Epub 2020 Jan 20. PMID: 31957998

Abstract Title: 

Supplementary management with Pycnogenol® in Parkinson's disease to prevent cognitive impairment.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The aim of this registry study in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) in treatment, was to evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol® supplementation on some accessory symptoms and cognitive functions (COFU).METHODS: The registry included 43 PD patients who had been diagnosed at least one year before the registry. The condition was considered 'mild', with minimal progression. The management for these patients was a monotherapy using carbidopa/levodopa (standard management; SM). Supplementary Pycnogenol® was used at 150 mg/day for 4 weeks. The neurological management was not affected.RESULTS: Tolerability and safety were very good; the two registry groups were comparable with comparable symptoms at baseline. The most disabling symptoms were considered tremor, bradychinesia, alterations in COFU, rigidity and speech changes. All symptoms were rated as mild-to-moderate. After 4 weeks, these target symptoms were attenuated with the supplement more than with the SM only (p

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PMID: 

J Alzheimers Dis. 2020 Jan 13. Epub 2020 Jan 13. PMID: 31958081

Abstract Title: 

Pine Bark Polyphenolic Extract Attenuates Amyloid-β and Tau Misfolding in a Model System of Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathology.

Abstract: 

Plant-derived polyphenolic compounds possess diverse biological activities, including strong anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-tumorigenic activities. There is a growing interest in the development of polyphenolic compounds for preventing and treating chronic and degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two neuropathological changes of AD are the appearance of neurofibrillary tangles containing tau and extracellular amyloid deposits containing amyloid-β protein (Aβ). Our laboratory and others have found that polyphenolic preparations rich in proanthocyanidins, such as grape seed extract, are capable of attenuating cognitive deterioration and reducing brain neuropathology in animal models of AD. Oligopin is a pine bark extract composed of low molecular weight proanthocyanidins oligomers (LMW-PAOs), including flavan-3-ol units such as catechin (C) and epicatechin (EC). Based on the ability of its various components to confer resilience to the onset of AD, we tested whether oligopin can specifically prevent or attenuate the progression of ADdementia preclinically. We also explored the underlying mechanism(s) through which oligopin may exert its biological activities. Oligopin inhibited oligomer formation of not only Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42, but also tau in vitro. Our pharmacokinetics analysis of metabolite accumulation in vivo resulted inthe identification of Me-EC-O-β-Glucuronide, Me-(±)-C-O-β-glucuronide, EC-O-β-glucuronide, and (±)-C-O-β-glucuronide in the plasma of mice. These metabolites are primarily methylated and glucuronidated C and EC conjugates. The studies conducted provide the necessary impetus to design future clinical trials with bioactive oligopin to prevent both prodromal and residual forms of AD.

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PMID: 

PLoS One. 2012 ;7(9):e46249. Epub 2012 Sep 26. PMID: 23049995

Abstract Title: 

Dioxin (TCDD) induces epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of adult onset disease and sperm epimutations.

Abstract: 

Environmental compounds can promote epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of adult-onset disease in subsequent generations following ancestral exposure during fetal gonadal sex determination. The current study examined the ability of dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo[p]dioxin, TCDD) to promote epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease and DNA methylation epimutations in sperm. Gestating F0 generation females were exposed to dioxin during fetal day 8 to 14 and adult-onset disease was evaluated in F1 and F3 generation rats. The incidences of total disease and multiple disease increased in F1 and F3 generations. Prostate disease, ovarian primordial follicle loss and polycystic ovary disease were increased in F1 generation dioxin lineage. Kidney disease in males, pubertal abnormalities in females, ovarian primordial follicle loss and polycystic ovary disease were increased in F3 generation dioxin lineage animals. Analysis of the F3 generation sperm epigenome identified 50 differentially DNA methylated regions (DMR) in gene promoters. These DMR provide potential epigenetic biomarkers for transgenerational disease and ancestral environmental exposures. Observations demonstrate dioxin exposure of a gestating female promotes epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of adult onset disease and sperm epimutations.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Feb ;110:510-517. Epub 2018 Dec 7. PMID: 30530231

Abstract Title: 

Corn silk (Zea mays L.), a source of natural antioxidants withα-amylase, α-glucosidase, advanced glycation and diabetic nephropathy inhibitory activities.

Abstract: 

The oxidative stress plays a critical role in the progression of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Corn silk is a traditional medicine used to treat DM. The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant capacity of corn silk, as well as its inhibitory potential on DM and diabetic nephropathy (DN). The ethanol extract of corn silk (CS) was liquid-liquid fractionated to get petroleum ether fraction (PCS), ethyl acetate fraction (ECS), n-butanol fraction (BCS) and water fraction (WCS). The Folin-Ciocalteu and AlClassay showed that silk corn contained considerable amount of phenolics and flavonoids, ECS and BCS were the two phenolic-enriched fractions with highest TPC and TFC values. The ECS and BCS showed the highest total antioxidant activity and reducing power, as well as the strongest scavenging activity against DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, compared to CS and other fractions. The ECS and BCS displayed appreciable anti-hyperglycaemic effect indicated by the significant inhibition onα-amylase and α-glucosidase in enzymatic assays. In BSA-glucose model, ECS and BCS effectively inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In addition, the anti-diabetic nephropathy activity assay displayed that CS, ECS and BCS significantly inhibited the production of Col IV, FN and IL-6 in high-glucose stimulated mesangial cells at 200 μg/mL. These findings suggested the antioxidant activities of corn silk could contribute, at least in part, to its traditionally claimed therapeutic benefits on DM and DN. The phenolic-enriched CS fractions could be considered as asource of natural antioxidants and further developed for the prevention and treatment of DM and its complications including DN.

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PMID: 

Carbohydr Polym. 2019 Mar 15 ;208:161-167. Epub 2018 Dec 19. PMID: 30658787

Abstract Title: 

Structural characterization of corn silk polysaccharides and its effect in HOinduced oxidative damage in L6 skeletal muscle cells.

Abstract: 

To evaluate the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from corn silk in HOinduced oxidative damage in L6 skeletal muscle cells. A polysaccharide (CSP2) was isolated from corn silk. Structure analysis of CSP2 with 1D and 2D NMR indicated that CSP2 was composed of (1→6)-linked α-d-glucose. The substituent of the α-d-glucose is composed of (1→3)-linked α-l-arabinose, (1→4)-linked β-d-galactose and (1→3,5)-linked β-d-mannose, with β-d-xylose and α-l-rhamnose as terminal unit. CSP2 had the potential to scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl radical and inhibithemolysis in vitro. CSP2 was found to suppress oxidant stress by improving the enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, and GPX. Rodamine 123 staining results showed that the pretreatment of CSP2 prevented changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased the fluorescence intensity in L6 cells inthe presence of HO. These results suggested that CSP2 could be utilized as a potential antioxidant supplement to prevent oxidative stress.

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PMID: 

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 ;2019:2915498. Epub 2019 Jan 17. PMID: 30792743

Abstract Title: 

Corn Silk Tea for Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Abstract: 

Corn silk, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been found to exert an antihypertensive effect in clinical practice and trials. However, systematic review of current evidence on this topic was not available. Thus, this study aims to assess safety and efficacy of corn silk tea (CST) in improving clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension. A systematic literature search was conducted through popular electronic databases up to October 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CST plus conventional antihypertensive drugs with conventional antihypertensive drugs alone were included. The main outcome was total blood pressure lowering efficacy. The risk of bias assessment according to the Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included trials. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for data analyses. Five RCTs involving 567 participants were included. Due to the poor quality of methodologies of most trials, limited evidence showed that CST plus antihypertensive drugs might be more effective in lowering blood pressure compared with antihypertensive drugs alone (RR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.38,

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PMID: 

Antibiotics (Basel). 2019 Mar 12 ;8(1). Epub 2019 Mar 12. PMID: 30870986

Abstract Title: 

Chemical Profile, Antibacterial Activity and Antibiotic-Modulating Effect of the HexanicL. Silk Extract (Poaceae).

Abstract: 

The present study aimed to determine the chemical profile and to evaluate the antibacterial activity and antibiotic-modulating action of the hexanicsilk extract in association with aminoglycosides. StandardATCC 25922,ATCC 25923 andATCC 27853 strains, as well as multi-resistant27,35, and31 strains, were used in this study. Phytochemical prospection revealed the presence of the following secondary metabolites: tannins, flavones, flavonoids, and xanthones, with the main chemical constituents being identified in plant extracts obtained with apolar organic solvents such as hexane. The extract presented a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)≥1024 μg/mL against all the tested strains. The association of the extract with aminoglycoside antibiotics showed significant synergistic effects againstand, except for amikacin, which was antagonized by the extract againstThese results indicate thesilk presents bioactive compounds with antibiotic-modulating properties. However, further research is required to characterize the effects of isolated compounds and determine their potential for drug development.

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PMID: 

Molecules. 2019 May 16 ;24(10). Epub 2019 May 16. PMID: 31100914

Abstract Title: 

Antihypertensive Effects of Corn Silk Extract and Its Novel Bioactive Constituent in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: The Involvement of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition.

Abstract: 

Corn silk tea has been used in folk medicine for anti-hypertensive healthcare. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role on the homeostasis of blood pressure. However, effects of corn silk tea on ACE activity and the presence of ACE inhibitory constituents in corn silk are still unknown. Here we applied proteomics and bioinformatics approaches to identify corn silk bioactive peptides (CSBps) that target ACE from the boiling water extract of corn silk (CSE). CSE significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats and inhibited the ACE activity. By proteomics coupled with bioinformatics analyses, we identified a novel ACE inhibitory peptide CSBp5 in CSE. CSBp5 significantly inhibited the ACE activity and decreased SBP levels in a dose-dependent manner. Docking analysis showed that CSBp5 occupied the substrate-binding channel of ACE and interacted with ACE via hydrogen bonds. In conclusion, we identified that CSE exhibited anti-hypertensive effects in SHRs via the inhibition of ACE, the target of most anti-hypertensive drugs. In addition, an ACE inhibitory phytopeptide CSBp5 that decreased SBP levels in rats was newly identified. Our findings supported the ethnomedical use of corn silk tea on hypertension. Moreover, the identification of ACE inhibitory phytopeptide in corn silk further strengthened our findings.

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PMID: 

Molecules. 2019 Jul 16 ;24(14). Epub 2019 Jul 16. PMID: 31315278

Abstract Title: 

Potential Photoprotective Effect of Dietary Corn Silk Extract on Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Damage.

Abstract: 

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation causes adverse effects on the skin. Corn silk contains flavonoids and other bioactive compounds and antioxidants, which may prevent skin photoaging through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We aimed to investigate the potential photoprotective effects of dietary corn silk on UVB-induced skin damage in mice and the mechanisms behind these effects on human skin cells. Oral administration of corn silk water extract (CS) (2 or 4 g/kg/day) for 19 weeks decreased epidermal thickness, wrinkle formation, and positive staining for PCNA, Ki67, and 8-OHdG, and increased collagen staining in UVB-irradiated SKH-1 hairless mice compared with controls. The pro-inflammatory NF-κB target genes (IL-1β, iNOS, and COX-2) and MMP-9 expressions were lower in the CS groups, and TGF-β/Smad signaling increased. Low skin lipid peroxidation and blood DNA oxidation levels and high blood glutathione were detected. Antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2-related catalase and SOD1 proteins and glutaredoxin mRNA levels increased. The results of CS extract treatment and UVB irradiation in HaCaT cells showed the same results in Nrf2 and NF-κB target genes. An LC-MS/MS analysis showed that the CS extract contained potential antioxidants, which might have contributed to its anti-photoaging effects in tissues and cells. CS extract may reduce UVB-induced skin damage through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

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PMID: 

Food Sci Biotechnol. 2019 Dec ;28(6):1599-1606. Epub 2019 Apr 17. PMID: 31807332

Abstract Title: 

Use of saw palmetto () extract for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous growth of the prostate. BPH commonly occurs in elderly men. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BPH (LUTS/BPH) have significant impacts on their health. Saw palmetto () extract (SPE) has been evaluated for its effectiveness in improvement of LUTS/BPH at preclinical and clinical levels. Potential mechanisms of actions include anti-androgenic, pro-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, SPE efficacy was inconsistent, at least partly due to a lack of a standardized SPE formula. A hexane extract (free fatty acids, > 80%) provided more consistent results. Free fatty acids (lauric acid) were effective in inhibition of 5α-reductase, and phytosterol (β-sitosterol) reduced prostatic inflammation. Multiple actions derived from different constituents may contribute to SPE efficacy. Evaluation of the clinical relevance of these bioactive components is required for standardization of SPE, thereby enabling consistent efficacy and recommendations for the use in the prevention and treatment of BPH.

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