PMID: 

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019 ;15:2991-3001. Epub 2019 Oct 18. PMID: 31695390

Abstract Title: 

Stigmasterol Exerts Neuro-Protective Effect Against Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury Through Reduction Of Oxidative Stress And Inactivation Of Autophagy.

Abstract: 

Purpose: Stroke remains the primary cause of pain, suffering, and death in patients. One of the major thrusts in stroke therapy is to find an effective prevention strategy. Objectives of this study are to testify the neuro-protection effect of stigmasterol in ischemic/reperfusion injury model.Methods: The dosage-dependent effects (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) of stigmasterol on physiological behaviors and oxidative stress biomarkers were investigated. Expression and phosphorylation of beclin1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mTOR, and N-terminal kinase (JNK) were detected.Results: The results showed that stigmasterol was able to effectively reduce neurological deficits and infarct damage induced by the ischemic/reperfusion injury, improve histopathology changes, and restore the levels of the endogenous antioxidant defense system in a dose-response mode. Stigmasterol effectively depressed the expression level of beclin1, and the conversion of LC3 I to LC3 II, while promoted the phosphorylation of mTOR, and remarkably inhibited the phosphorylation of AMPK and JNK, as well as the expression of JNK induced by 24 hrs of reperfusion.Conclusion: These findings reveal that stigmasterol has neuro-protective effect against the ischemic/reperfusion injury, possibly associated with reduction of oxidative stress and inactivation of autophagy via AMPK/mTOR and JNK pathways.

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PMID: 

Korean J Physiol Pharmacol. 2020 Jan ;24(1):39-46. Epub 2020 Dec 20. PMID: 31908573

Abstract Title: 

β-Sitosterol treatment attenuates cognitive deficits and prevents amyloid plaque deposition in amyloid protein precursor/presenilin 1 mice.

Abstract: 

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder causing dementia worldwide, and is mainly characterized by aggregatedβ-amyloid (Aβ). Increasing evidence has shown that plant extracts have the potential to delay AD development. The plant sterol β-Sitosterol has a potential role in inhibiting the production of platelet Aβ, suggesting that it may be useful for AD prevention. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of β-Sitosterol on deficits in learning and memory in amyloid protein precursor/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice. APP/PS1 mice were treated with β-Sitosterol for four weeks, from the age of seven months. Brain Aβ metabolism was evaluated using ELISA and Western blotting. We found that β-Sitosterol treatment can improve spatial learning and recognition memory ability, and reduce plaque load in APP/PS1 mice. β-Sitosterol treatment helped reverse dendritic spine loss in APP/PS1 mice and reversed the decreased hippocampal neuron miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Our research helps to explain and support the neuroprotective effect of β-Sitosterol, which may offer a novel pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of AD. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-Sitosterol ameliorates memory and learning impairment in APP/PS1 mice and possibly decreases Aβ deposition.

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PMID: 

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2020 Jan 13. Epub 2020 Jan 13. PMID: 31930431

Abstract Title: 

β-Sitosterol attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and chronic liver injury in rats.

Abstract: 

Chronic liver diseases are clinically silent and responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.β-Sitosterol (BSS), major phytosterol in plants, has a wide spectrum of protective effect against various chronic ailments. We investigated the hepatoprotective effect of BSS against carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced chronic liver injury in rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups, with six animals in each group. Group I rats served as control while groups II, III, IV, and V rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCl(0.2 mL/100 g b.w. in olive oil (1:1)) for 7 consecutive weeks. After 7 weeks, group II rats were left without any treatments and served as CClalone group, while groups III, IV, and V rats were treated with BSS 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. and silymarin 100 mg/kg b.w. as oral post-treatments respectively, for the next 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, hepatotoxicity marker enzymes in serum, oxidative stress, and fibrosis marker were analyzed. CCladministration caused significant elevation of marker enzymes of hepatotoxicity in serum and increased lipid peroxidation and fibrosis markers such as hydroxyproline, collagen,α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, desmin, and matrix metalloproteinases 9 in liver tissue of rats. This treatment also caused a significant diminution of intracellular enyzmic antioxidants such as SOD and CAT in the liver tissue of rats. All the above adversities were significantly mitigated by theBSS post-treatments. The results suggest that BSS could have a hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress-mediated CLD induced by CCl.

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PMID: 

J Agric Food Chem. 2019 Sep 4 ;67(35):9789-9795. Epub 2019 Aug 19. PMID: 31373816

Abstract Title: 

Effects ofβ-Sitosterol from Corn Silk on TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Alveolar Epithelial Cells.

Abstract: 

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Chronic damage of the alveolar epithelium leads to a process called"epithelial-mesenchymal transition"(EMT) and increases synthesis and deposition of ECM proteins. Therefore, inhibition of EMT might be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.β-Sitosterol is one of the most abundant phytosterols in the plant kingdom and the major constituent in corn silk, which is derived from the stigma and style of maize (). In this study, we elucidated thatβ-sitosterol inhibited transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT and consequently had an antifibrotic effect. β-Sitosterol (1-10 μg/mL) significantly downregulated the TGF-β1-induced fibrotic proteins, such as collagen, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin in human alveolar epithelial cells (0.01). After 24 h, relative wound density (RWD) was increased in TGF-β1 treated group (82.16 ± 5.70) compare to the control group (64.63 ± 2.21), but RWD was decreased in β-sitosterol cotreated group (10 μg/mL: 71.54 ± 7.39; 20 μg/mL: 65.69 ± 6.42). In addition, the changes of the TGF-β1-induced morphological shape and protein expression of EMT markers,-cadherin, vimentin, and-cadherin, were significantly blocked byβ-sitosterol treatment (0.01). The effects ofβ-sitosterol on EMT were found to be associated with the TGF-β1/Snail pathway, which is regulated by Smad and non-Smad signaling pathways. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-sitosterol can be used to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis through suppression of EMT by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Snail pathway.

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2019 Nov ;33(11):2862-2869. Epub 2019 Aug 18. PMID: 31423665

Abstract Title: 

Corn silk decoction for blood lipid in patients with angina pectoris: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: 

The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of corn silk decoction on lipid profile in patients with angina pectoris. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database were searched up to January 2019 for randomized controlled trials that assessed the impact of corn silk decoction on total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with angina pectoris. Study evaluation and synthesis methods were in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook, and data were analyzed using Review Manager (version 5.3) software. Random effects model was applied in this systematic review and meta-analysis to compensate for potential heterogeneity among the included studies. A total of four randomized controlled trials were eligible for meta-analysis. Pooled results of these studies indicated that corn silk decoction might improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with angina pectoris. Subgroup analyses showed that corn silk decoction or modified corn silk decoction plus conventional pharmaceutical treatment could have favorable effects on blood lipids. However, the lack of blinding in most studies may have led to overestimation of these effects. Further studies with better design are needed to confirm these findings.

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PMID: 

Fitoterapia. 2019 Oct ;138:104356. Epub 2019 Sep 11. PMID: 31520649

Abstract Title: 

Diverse metabolites from corn silk with anti-Aβaggregation activity.

Abstract: 

Five pairs of enantiomeric compounds (1a/1b-5a/5b) including seven undescribed compounds (1a/1b-3a/3b, 4b) along with two known ones (. and .) have been isolated from corn silk (Stigma maydis). Racemic mixtures of these enantiomers were separated by HPLC with different types of chiral columns. Their structures were elucidated based on comprehensive spectroscopic analyses together with quantum chemical calculations ofC NMR data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) curves. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibition ability of self-induced Aβaggregation. Among them, compounds 4a (88.36%), 4b (74.66%) and . (85.65%) showed stronger inhibitory activity than the positive control curcumin (61.90%). The different inhibition profiles of enantiomers 4a and 4b were explained by docking simulation studies.

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PMID: 

Int J Biol Macromol. 2019 Nov 9. Epub 2019 Nov 9. PMID: 31712136

Abstract Title: 

Characterization of a polysaccharide with antioxidant and anti-cervical cancer potentials from the corn silk cultivated in Jilin province.

Abstract: 

Corn silk polysaccharides (CSPs) were extracted from the corn silk cultivated in Jilin province, China, where is one of the golden corn belts worldwide. Three fractions (CSP-1, CSP-2 and CSP-3) were obtained by DEAE-52 cellulose and the former two fractions were further purified by Sephadex G-150 column chromatography to obtain CSP-S-1 and CSP-S-2. The molecular weights of CSP-S-1 and CSP-S-2 were calculated to be 586 kDa and 813 kDa, respectively. CSP-S-1 was composed of galactose, arabinose, xylose and rhamnose at a molar ratio of 4.16:1.00:1.01:6.32 and CSP-S-2 was composed of galactose, arabinose, glucose and rhamnose at a molar ratio of 8.71:3.58:0.169:1.00. CSP-S-2 outperformed CSP-S-1 in scavenging DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radicals, and significantly inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells. IR and NMR analysis indicated that CSP-S-2 was pyranose. CSP-S-2 consisted of 1 → 4 and 1 → 6 linkages and exhibited a triple helix configuration. In summary, CSP-S-2 possesses high potential tobe developed as a novel antioxidant and anti-cervical cancer agent.

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PMID: 

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 ;2019:9789241. Epub 2019 Oct 20. PMID: 31781357

Abstract Title: 

Corn Silk () Induced Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells via the ROS-Mediated Mitochondrial Pathway.

Abstract: 

Cancer has been recognized as one of the life-threating diseases. Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality among women. In spite of current developments in the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, the survival rate is still less. Recently, plant-derived natural products gain attention as anticancer agents due to the nontoxic nature. Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate the anticancer capacity of corn silk extract (CSE) on human breast cancer (MCF-7) and normal human mesenchymal (hMSC-TERT4) cells. Following 24 h treatment to corn silk extract, the cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT, NRU, and morphological assays. The oxidative stress markers (GSH and LPO), ROS production, MMP change, and expression of apoptotic marker genes (p53, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9) were also studied in MCF-7 cells treated at 250 to 1000 g/ml of CSE for 24 h. Our results showed that CSE decreased the cell viability and increased the apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The level of LPO and ROS production was found significantly higher; however, GSH and MMP level was observed lower in CSE-treated MCF-7 cells. The real-time PCR data showed a significant upregulation in p53, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 and downregulation in the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 genes in MCF-7 cells exposed to CSE. Collectively, the data from this study stated that corn silk extract induced apoptosis via the ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway in MCF-7 cells.

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PMID: 

Trends Genet. 2020 Jan 14. Epub 2020 Jan 14. PMID: 31952840

Abstract Title: 

Small RNAs in the Transgenerational Inheritance of Epigenetic Information.

Abstract: 

In recent years it has become evident that RNA interference-related mechanisms can mediate the deposition and transgenerational inheritance of specific chromatin modifications in a truly epigenetic fashion. Rapid progress has been made in identifying the RNAi effector proteins and how they work together to confer long-lasting epigenetic responses, and initial studies hint at potential physiological relevance of such regulation. In this review, we highlight mechanistic studies in model organisms that advance our understanding of how small RNAs trigger long-lasting epigenetic changes in gene expression and we discuss observations that lend support for the idea that small RNAs might participate in mechanisms that trigger epigenetic gene expression changes in response to environmental cues and the effects these could have on population adaptation.

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PMID: 

Environ Int. 2019 10 ;131:105057. Epub 2019 Aug 6. PMID: 31398592

Abstract Title: 

Ultra-processed food consumption and exposure to phthalates and bisphenols in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013-2014.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Ultra-processed food has low nutritional quality, is associated with development of chronic diseases, and may increase exposure to chemicals used in food packaging and production.OBJECTIVES: To assess associations of ultra-processed food consumption with exposure to phthalates and bisphenols, including newer replacements, in the general U.S.POPULATION: METHODS: Among 2212 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 participants (≥6 years), we classified items reported in a 24-h dietary recall according to the NOVA food processing classification system and calculated energy intake from ultra-processed food. Urinary concentrations of mono-benzyl (MBzP), mono-(3-carboxypropyl) (MCPP), mono-(carboxyisononyl) (MCNP), mono-(carboxyisoctyl) (MCOP), and four metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl) (∑DEHP) phthalates and bisphenols A, F, and S were measured in spot urine samples. We estimated percent changes in natural log creatinine-standardized concentrations per 10% higher energy from ultra-processed food in covariate-adjusted multivariable linear regression models. We examined effect measure modification by age group, race/ethnicity, and poverty:income ratio and assessed associations with minimally processed food intake.RESULTS: In adjusted models, higher energy from ultra-processed food was associated with higher urinary concentrations of MCPP, MCNP, and MCOP but not MBzP,∑DEHP, or bisphenols. Each 10% higher energy from ultra-processed food was associated with 8.0% (95% CI: 5.6%, 10.3%) higher urinary MCOP concentrations, with a stronger association among children than adolescents or adults. Ultra-processed sandwiches/hamburgers, French fries/other potato products, and ice cream/pops were associated with higher concentrations of multiple chemicals. Higher energy from minimally processed food was associated with lower concentrations of MCPP, MCNP, MCOP, and bisphenols A and F.DISCUSSION: Ultra-processed food consumption may increase exposure to currently used phthalates. Additional research is needed to determine whether minimally processed food diets or changes in food production practices can reduce phthalate and bisphenol exposures and related health effects, particularly among children who are more vulnerable to toxicants and tend to consume more ultra-processed food than adults.

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