PMID: 

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Oct 11 ;19(1):265. Epub 2019 Oct 11. PMID: 31601215

Abstract Title: 

Carica papaya extract in dengue: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Carica papaya (CP) extract is becoming popular as an unlicensed herbal remedy purported to hasten recovery in dengue infection, mostly based on observations that it may increase platelet counts. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to critically analyze the evidence from controlled clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of CP extract in the treatment of dengue infection.METHODS: PubMed, LILACS and Google Scholar were searched for randomized or non-randomized trials enrolling patients with suspected or confirmed dengue where CP extract was compared, as a treatment measure, against standard treatment. Recovery of platelet counts as well as other clinical indicators of favourable outcome (duration of hospital stay, prevention of plasma leakage, life threatening complications, and mortality) were assessed.RESULTS: Nine studies (India-6, Pakistan-1, Indonesia-1, Malaysia-1) met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies showed an increase in platelet counts in patients receiving CP extract, while one study showed no significant difference between the two groups, and direct comparison was not possible in the remaining study. Serious adverse events were not reported. CP extract may reduce the duration of hospital stay (mean difference - 1.98 days, 95% confidence interval - 1.83 to - 2.12, 3 studies, 580 participants, low quality evidence), and cause improvement in mean platelet counts between the first and fifth day of treatment (mean difference 35.45, 95% confidence interval 23.74 to 47.15, 3 studies, 129 participants, low quality evidence). No evidence was available regarding other clinical outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: The clinical value of improvement in platelet count or early discharge is unclear in the absence of more robust indicators of favourable clinical outcome. Current evidence is insufficient to comment on the role of CP extract in dengue. There is a need for further well designed clinical trials examining the effect of CP on platelet counts, plasma leakage, other serious manifestations of dengue, and mortality, with clearly defined outcome measures.

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PMID: 

Pharm Nanotechnol. 2019 Dec 10. Epub 2019 Dec 10. PMID: 31858909

Abstract Title: 

Antiviral Action of Curcumin Encapsulated in Nanoemulsion Against Four Serotypes of Dengue Virus.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Curcumin has been used as traditional medicine showing anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. Despite the promising potentials, curcumin-based drug development is hindered due to its poor solubility and cell uptake.OBJECTIVE: This study aims to produce curcumin nanoemulsion (nanocurcumin) and evaluate its physical characteristics and in vitro cell cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against dengue virus (DENV).METHOD: Nanocurcumin was generated by self-nanoemulsion technique. Cytotoxicity was determined using MTT assay in A549 cell line. Anti-DENV properties were determined by calculation of inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) and plaque assay.RESULTS: The resulting nanoemulsion showed uniform droplet size distribution with the average droplet size of 40.85± 0.919 nm. Nanocurcumin exhibited higher cell cytotoxicity compared to curcumin solution and may be explained by better cell uptake. Nanocurcumin treatment suppressed DENV growth, although no significant difference observed compared to the curcumin solution counterpart. Greater virus reduction wasobserved for DENV-1 and DENV-2.CONCLUSION: The synthesis of nanocurcumin improved curcumin physicochemical properties with potential as antiviral against DENV.

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PMID: 

J Agric Food Chem. 2020 Jan 19. Epub 2020 Jan 19. PMID: 31955565

Abstract Title: 

Nobiletin triggers ROS-mediated pyroptosis through regulating autophagy in ovarian cancer cells.

Abstract: 

Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious female malignancies worldwide. Despite intensive effort has been made to overcome ovarian cancer, there still remain limited optional treatments for this disease. Nobiletin, a prospective Food-derived phytochemical, extracted from citrus fruits, has recently been reported to suppress ovarian cancer cells, but the role of pyroptosis in ovarian carcinoma with nobiletin still remains unknown. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of nobiletin on ovarian carcinoma, and further expound the underlying mechanisms of nobiletin induced ovarian cancer cell death. Our results showed that nobiletin could significantly inhibit cell proliferation, induce DNA damage, and also lead to apoptosis by increasing the cleaved PARP level of human ovarian cancer cells (HOCC) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we revealed nobiletin decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, induced ROS generation and autophagy of HOCC, contributing to GSDMD/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Taken together, nobiletin as functional food ingredient represents a promising new anti-ovarian cancer candidate that could induce apoptosis and trigger ROS-mediated pyroptosis through regulating autophagy in ovarian cancer cells.

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 4 ;21(1). Epub 2020 Jan 4. PMID: 31948007

Abstract Title: 

Nobiletin Delays Aging and Enhances Stress Resistance of.

Abstract: 

Nobiletin (NOB), one of polymethoxyflavone existing in citrus fruits, has been reported to exhibit a multitude of biological properties, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-atherosclerosis, neuroprotection, and anti-tumor activity. However, little is known about the anti-aging effect of NOB. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of NOB on lifespan, stress resistance, and its associated gene expression. Using, an in vivo nematode model, we found that NOB remarkably extended the lifespan; slowed aging-related functional declines; and increased the resistance against various stressors, including heat shock and ultraviolet radiation. Also, NOB reduced the effects of paraquat stressor on nematodes and scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, gene expression revealed that NOB upregulated the expression of,,,,, and, which was suggested that anti-aging activity of NOB was mediated most likely by activation of the target genes of the transcription factors including dauer formation (DAF)-16, heat-shock transcription factor (HSF)-1, and skinhead (SKN)-1. In summary, NOB has potential application in extension of lifespan, and its associated healthspan and stress resistances.

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PMID: 

Food Sci Nutr. 2019 Dec ;7(12):3979-3985. Epub 2019 Nov 12. PMID: 31890176

Abstract Title: 

Astaxanthin inhibits aldose reductase activity in, a model of type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: 

Astaxanthin (ATX) is a marine carotenoid known for its powerful antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo potential inhibitory effect of ATX on the aldose reductase (AR) activity, a key enzyme in the polyol pathway responsible for the pathogenesis of diabetic complications including diabetic retinopathy (DR). The gerbil(), an animal model for type 2 diabetes and DR has been used. The erythrocyte and retinal AR activity ofindividuals were, respectively, assessed monthly and at the 7th month during a 7-month hypercaloric diet (HD) using a NADPH oxidation method. Meanwhile, the body weight and blood glucose of the gerbils were monitored. After 7 months,individuals were fed with ATX (4.8 mg/kg of body weight) once a day for 1 week. The results showed that the HD-fed animals developed significant obesity and hyperglycemia in comparison with controls. Erythrocyte AR activity showed a progressive and significant increase in the HD-fed group compared with controls. Retinal AR activity was higher in the 7-month HD-fed group compared with controls. Erythrocyte AR activity was markedly decreased after ATX-treatment in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggested that ATX inhibited the erythrocyte AR activity and could be used for DR prevention and/or early treatment.

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PMID: 

Exp Mol Pathol. 2020 Jan 7:104372. Epub 2020 Jan 7. PMID: 31923424

Abstract Title: 

Effect of astaxanthin on metabolic cataract in rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of astaxanthin on metabolic cataract in rats with type 1 diabetes and its antioxidant capacity to lens.METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8): control group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group, low-dose astaxanthin (DM + AL) and low-dose astaxanthin (DM + AH) group. A rat model of type I diabetes mellitus was established by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). After successful modeling, rats in the administration group were given different doses of astaxanthin (AST) for 12 weeks. The lens opacity of rats was observed by slit-lamp camera system. The double antibody sandwich method was used to detect the levels of advanced glycation end product (AGE), lipid peroxide/malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in the lens. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to examine the morphologic changes in the lens.RESULTS: The severity of cataract in the lens was obviously increased after induced by STZ, whereas it was significantly decreased after treatment with AST (p 

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PMID: 

Molecules. 2020 Jan 5 ;25(1). Epub 2020 Jan 5. PMID: 31948056

Abstract Title: 

Astaxanthin Protects PC12 Cells against Homocysteine- and Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity.

Abstract: 

Memory impairment has been shown to be associated with glutamate (Glu) excitotoxicity, homocysteine (Hcy) accumulation, and oxidative stress. We hypothesize that Glu and Hcy could damage neuronal cells, while astaxanthin (ATX) could be beneficial to alleviate the adverse effects. Using PC12 cell model, we showed that Glu and Hcy provoked a huge amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, causing mitochondrial damage at EC20 and 10 mm, respectively. The mechanisms of action include: (1) increasing calcium influx; (2) producing ROS; (3) initiating lipid peroxidation; (4) causing imbalance of the Bcl-2/Bax homeostasis; and (5) activating cascade of caspases involving caspases 12 and 3. Conclusively, the damages caused by Glu and Hcy to PC12 cells can be alleviated by the potent antioxidant ATX.

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PMID: 

Fitoterapia. 2017 Sep ;121:229-234. Epub 2017 Aug 4. PMID: 28782581

Abstract Title: 

Anti-inflammatory phenylpropanoids and phenolics from Ficus hirta Vahl.

Abstract: 

Four new phenylpropanoids (1-4) along with ten known phenolics were isolated and purified from the roots of hairy fig (Ficus hirta Vahl.). Their structures were elucidated by the extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation. The anti-inflammatory activities of the purified compounds were evaluated. Results indicated that the extracts and some purified compounds exhibited pronounced inhibitory effects on the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 compared to indomethacin, which suggested that hairy fig could be served as an anti-inflammatory agent for health products.

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PMID: 

Biomedicines. 2020 Jan 15 ;8(1). Epub 2020 Jan 15. PMID: 31952281

Abstract Title: 

Antioxidant, Antifungal Activities of EthnobotanicalVahl. and Analysis of Main Constituents by HPLC-MS.

Abstract: 

The medicinal and edible plant,Vahl. (also called hairy fig), is used for the treatment of constipation, inflammation, postpartum hypogalactia, tumors, and cancer. There is an urgent need for scientific evaluation to verify the pharmacological properties of. Therefore, in vitro assays evaluated the antioxidant and antifungal activities of various solvent extracts of hairy fig fruits (HFF). HFF extracts had abundant antioxidant components for a significant amount of total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) (TPC from 17.75± 0.52 to 85.25 ± 1.72 mg gallic acid/g dw and TFC from 15.80 ± 0.59 to 144.22 ± 8.46 mg rutin/g dw, respectively). The ethyl acetate extract (EAE) and acetone extract (AE) of HFF demonstrated potent antioxidant activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (ICvalues of 2.52 and 2.02 mg/mL, respectively) and ABTS radicals (ICvalues of 3.06 and 9.26 mg/mL, respectively). Moreover, the AE with a high TFC showed a prominent in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity against, causing citrus blue mold. Eighteen metabolites were identified or putatively identified from six HFF extracts. Current findings indicated that HFF extracts had significant antioxidant and antifungal activities and could potentially be used as an alternative agent for the preservation of agricultural products.

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PMID: 

Farmakol Toksikol. 1990 Mar-Apr;53(2):41-3. PMID: 2369953

Abstract Title: 

[The effect of galbanic acid on the course of experimental hepatitis].

Abstract: 

Administration of galbanic acid isolated from the roots of Ferula kopetdaghensis Eug. Kor. to rats orally in a dose of 50 mg/kg was found to improve the course of toxic hepatitis induced by fourfold subcutaneous injections of a 50% oil solution of CCl4. Galbanic acid produced much more earlier than in control normalization of the activity of the enzymes alanine- and aspartataminotransferase in blood serum, increased glycogen content and improved the parameters of the redox potential of lactic acid-pyruvic acid system in the liver. Galbanic acid exerted the antioxidant effect. In the animals with a developed hepatitis receiving galbanic acid there was a more rapid restoration of intensity of bile secretion, synthesis of bile acids and bilirubin, cholesterol excretion as compared with control.

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