Sought-after nutritional therapies vitamin D and omega-3s found in fish oil have gone through intense scrutiny with the largest study to date, called VITAL, and results looks promising

PMID: 

Cell Biol Int. 2020 May 25. Epub 2020 May 25. PMID: 32449796

Abstract Title: 

A review of the chemopreventative and chemotherapeutic properties of the phytochemicals berberine, resveratrol and curcumin, and their influence on cell death via the pathways of apoptosis and autophagy.

Abstract: 

Phytochemicals are a diverse group of compounds found in a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs, and have been reported to possess a number of health benefits. Marketed as supplements by health food retailers, this group of naturally occurring compounds have been investigated for a number of years to determine if they possess any chemopreventative and/or chemotherapeutic benefits. In this comprehensive review, the phytochemicals resveratrol, berberine and curcumin will be discussed, with particular focus being given to their proposed anti-cancer applications. The purpose of this review is to help clarify whether there is any truth in the claims that are regularly made regarding the efficacy of these compounds. To this end, a number of significant studies that involved the use of these phytochemicals will be identified, discussed and evaluated, to determine if they show promise in the ongoing fight to reduce the incidence rates and severity of various cancers. Specifically, it is the aim of this review, to present and discuss key studies performed over the last two decades using these compounds, and to evaluate, compare, and contrast their effectiveness as chemopreventatives and chemotherapeutics. This should provide the reader with an overarching picture of how these structurally similar phytochemicals might be used in both clinical and non-clinical settings, as a part of the ongoing effort by clinicians, to help to slow down the increasing rate of cancers observed over the last few decades. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 May 23 ;128:110245. Epub 2020 May 23. PMID: 32454290

Abstract Title: 

Berberine represses human gastric cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo by inducing cytostatic autophagy via inhibition of MAPK/mTOR/p70S6K and Akt signaling pathways.

Abstract: 

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid from Coptidis Rhizoma, has been characterized as a potential anticancer drug due to its good anti-tumor effects. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in anti-gastric cancer remain poorly understood. Herein, the role of berberine in gastric cancer suppression by inducing cytostatic autophagy in vitro and in vivo was first investigated. Results showed that berberine induced an obvious growth inhibitory effect on gastric cancer BGC-823 cells without toxicity to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Treatment with berberine triggered cell autophagy, as demonstrated by the punctuate distribution of monodansylcadaverine staining and GFP-LC3, as well as the LC3-II, Beclin-1 and p-ULK1 promotion, and p62 degradation. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA, CQ, Baf-A1 and BECN1 siRNA obviously increased cell viability of berberine-exposed gastric cancer cells, which confirmed the anti-cancer role of autophagy induced by berberine. Mechanistic studies showed that berberine inhibited mTOR, Akt and MAPK (ERK, JNK and p38) pathways thereby inducing autophagy. Inhibition of above pathways increases berberine induced autophagy and cytotoxicity. Interestingly, mTOR/p70S6K was inhibited by the MAPK but not Akt. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy reversed berberine down-regulated mTOR, Akt and MAPK. In xenografts, the berberine induced autophagy leads to suppression of tumor proliferation with no side-effect, and western blotting displayed an apparent attenuation of p-mTOR, p-p70S6K, p-Akt, p-ERK, p-JNK and p-p38 in tumors from berberine treated mice. Briefly, these results indicated that berberine repressed human gastric cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo by inducing cytostatic autophagy via inhibition of MAPK/mTOR/p70S6K and Akt, and provided a molecular basis for the treatment of gastric cancer.

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PMID: 

Front Pharmacol. 2020 ;11:647. Epub 2020 May 8. PMID: 32457629

Abstract Title: 

Berberine Improves Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in HepG2 Cells Through AMPKα1 Activation.

Abstract: 

Aim: This study is designed to investigate whether or not AMP-activated protein kinaseα1 (AMPKα1) is required for natural product berberine (BBR) to improve glucose and lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells.Methods: AMPKα1 knocked-out (KO,) cells were obtained by co-transfection of the CRISPR/Cas9 KO and HDR (homology-directed repair) plasmid into HepG2 cells, as well as subsequent screen with puromycin. The expression levels of target proteins or mRNAs were determined by western blot or real-time RT-PCR, respectively. Cellular AMPK activity, glucose consumption, lactate release, glucose production, and lipid accumulation were determined by kits.Results: The results showed that thegene was successfully KO in HepG2 cells. Incells, the protein expression of AMPKα1 and phosphorylated-AMPKα1 (p-AMPKα1) disappeared, the level of total AMPKα declined to about 45-50% of wild type (

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PMID: 

Panminerva Med. 2019 Dec ;61(4):457-463. PMID: 32043843

Abstract Title: 

PycnoRacer®, a fitness drink including Pycnogenol®, improves recovery and training in the Cooper test.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the effects of training (on running distance measured with a Cooper test) in 3 weeks in non-professional athletes using PycnoRacer®, a fitness drink (FD) including Pycnogenol® during the training period.METHODS: Pycnogenol® has been used in preclinical conditions and prevention. PycnoRacer® is a liquid combination of Pycnogenol® (15 mg), L-leucine (0.6 g), L-arginine (0.3 g), L-isoleucine (0.3 g), and L-valine (0.3 g). Two comparable groups (one using the FD) were formed: 60 training athletes were requested to drink one bottle 4 times/day, while 65 controls did not use PycnoRacer® or other comparable sports drinks. All subjects had a strong athletic background and advanced knowledge of the procedures of the tests. Two daily training sessions were completed. The sessions consisted in warming up and running aCooper test.RESULTS: 125 subjects completed the three weeks according to plans. There were nine dropouts due to logistical or working problems. Subjects using the FD improved on average by 18.83% (range 12-23%) in their running distance with training. The difference with controls was significant (P

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PMID: 

Minerva Cardioangiol. 2020 Apr ;68(2):146-152. PMID: 32429631

Abstract Title: 

Supplementary management with Pycnogenol® in patients with lupus vasculitis in remission phases: a pilot, concept registry study.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The aim of this pilot study was the supplementary management of minimal, residual symptoms of systemic Lupus (SLE) with vasculitis (LV) in remission phases, using a natural, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant agent (Pycnogenol®) extracted from French maritime pine bark. Pycnogenol® has a significant clinical anti-inflammatory activity; it is a standardized supplement with a high-safety profile.METHODS: Subjects with Lupus vasculitis were included in the study. The standard management (SM) was used in all subjects for 8 weeks; one group added Pycnogenol® (150 mg/day) to SM.RESULTS: The two groups completing 8 weeks were comparable at baseline with 12 subjects managed with SM and 14 subjects supplemented with Pycnogenol®. No side effects due to Pycnogenol® were observed; Pycnogenol® was associated with an optimal tolerability. The proportion of patients with photosensitivity, oral ulcers, renal-associated hematuria (minimal), leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, positive anti-DNA and positive antiphospolipids tests were significantly lower in the Pycnogenol® group (P

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PMID: 

Turk J Pharm Sci. 2020 Feb ;17(1):1-6. Epub 2020 Feb 19. PMID: 32454754

Abstract Title: 

AnStudy on the Interactions of Pycnogenolwith Cisplatin in Human Cervical Cancer Cells.

Abstract: 

Objectives: In the treatment of cancer, it is intended to increase the anticancer effect and decrease cytotoxicity using various plant-derived phenolic compounds with chemotherapeutic drugs. Pycnogenol(PYC), a phenolic compound, has been the subject of many studies. Since the mechanisms of the interactions of PYC with cisplatin need to be clarified, we aimed to determine the effects of PYC on cisplatin cytotoxicity in human cervix cancer cells (HeLa) and to evaluate the genotoxicity of PYC.Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of cisplatin and PYC was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in HeLa cells for 24 h and 48 h. The effect of PYC against oxidative DNA damage was evaluated using the comet assay.Results: The ICvalues of cisplatin were 22.4μM and 12.3 μM for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. The ICvalues of PYC were 261μM and 213 μM for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. For 24 h exposure, PYC significantly reduced the ICvalue of cisplatin at the selected concentrations (15.6-500μM). For 48 h exposure, PYC did not change the cytotoxicity of cisplatin at concentrations between 15.6 and 125 μM, but significantly reduced it at concentrations of 250 μM and 500 μM. PYC alone did not induce DNA damage at concentrations of 10 μM or 25 μM; however, it significantly induced DNA damage at higher concentrations (50-100 μM). It also significantly reduced HO-induced DNA damage at all concentrations studied (10-100μM).Conclusion: Our results suggest that PYC may increase the cisplatin cytotoxicity in HeLa cells at nongenotoxic doses. The results might contribute to the anticancer effect of cisplatin with PYC in cervical carcinoma, but in order to confirm this result furtherstudies with cancer cell lines andstudies are needed.

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Considering researchers have also shown that SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly inactivated by sunlight, areas that are banning people from parks and beaches, are undoubtedly committing a grave error

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Fish Physiol Biochem. 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18. PMID: 32424629

Abstract Title: 

Antioxidative and immunoprotective potential of Chlorella vulgaris dietary supplementation against chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia.

Abstract: 

This study highlighted the effects of chronic chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and the benefits of using dietary Chlorella vulgaris (Ch) to ameliorate CPF-induced toxicity. Genes encoding antioxidant enzymes and stress-responsive proteins in the liver as well as cytokine expression in the spleen and head kidney were evaluated in O. niloticus fed with a basal diet or diets containing 1, 2, and 3% of supplementary Ch against 15 mg/L CPF at 4 and 8 weeks. CPF-exposed groups displayed a notable induction in the hepatic expression of heat shock protein 70/hsp70, glutathione peroxidase/GPx, and glutathione synthase/GSS, while glutathione reductase/GSR was markedly decreased. The mRNA levels of interleukin 1β/IL-1β, TNF-α, transforming growth factor β1/TGFβ1, and interleukin 8/ IL-8 in the spleen and head kidney increased significantly after CPF exposure. Interestingly, Ch supplementation, particularly at levels 2 and 3%, was able to modulate the stress and immune-related genes of Nile tilapia sub-chronically exposed to CPF. These outcomes provide valuable insights regarding the toxic impact of chronic exposure to CPF in fish at the molecular level and a better understanding of the Ch dietary vital roles. Besides, our findings encourage adequate monitoring of pesticide levels owing to its impacts on fish health and human as a final consumer.

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PMID: 

Mar Drugs. 2020 Jan 29 ;18(2). Epub 2020 Jan 29. PMID: 32013202

Abstract Title: 

Supplementation Coupled to Strength Exercise Improves Redox Balance and Reduces Intestinal Contractile Reactivity in Rat Ileum.

Abstract: 

The blue algahas presented several pharmacological activities, highlighting its actions as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In addition, there are few studies with the influence of strength training on physiological parameters, as intestinal contractility and oxidative cell damage. We evaluated the influence ofsupplementation, strength training, and its association on contractile reactivity of rat ileum, as well as the balance of oxidative stress/antioxidant defenses. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into; sedentary (S); S + supplemented with algae at 50 (S50), 150 (S150), and 500 mg/kg (S500); trained (T); and T + supplemented (T50, T150, and T500). Contractile reactivity was analyzed by kymographs; oxidative stress on ileum by the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation; and the antioxidant capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method.supplementation reduced the reactivity of rat ileum to carbachol (CCh) and KCl, while training reduced only the CCh efficacy. In addition, association potentiated the reduction on contractile reactivity. Supplementation reduced the oxidative stress and increased oxidation inhibition; training alone did not alter this parameter, however association potentiated this beneficial effect. Therefore, this study demonstrated that both supplementation and its association with strength training promote beneficial effects regarding intestinal contractile reactivity and oxidative stress, providing new insights for intestinal disorders management.

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