PMID: 

Am J Transl Res. 2019 ;11(10):6544-6552. Epub 2019 Oct 15. PMID: 31737205

Abstract Title: 

Coenzyme Q10 suppresses oxidative stress and apoptosis via activating the Nrf-2/NQO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathway after spinal cord injury in rats.

Abstract: 

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating diseases that may cause paralysis, disability and irreversible loss of functions, which ultimately lead to permanent disabilities and a decrease in patient life expectancy. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipid-soluble vitamin-like benzoquinone compound that can exert antioxidant and anti-apoptotic functions in a variety of diseases. However, the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of CoQ10 in the treatment of SCI are still unknown. Therefore, we designed experiments to measure the changes in antioxidant capacity (glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the end product of lipid peroxidation (MDA)) and apoptosis products (Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3) to evaluate the protective effects of CoQ10 on SCI and investigated whether CoQ10 exerts its functions through the Nrf-2/NQO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathway. Our results showed that CoQ10 treatment could significantly decrease the levels of oxidative products (MDA) and increase the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH) against oxidative stress, as well as decrease the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and Caspase-3) and increase the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2) against apoptosis after SCI. We also observed that CoQ10 exerted beneficial effects through the Nrf-2/NQO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggested that CoQ10 had a protective effect by decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosisafter SCI. Thus, our data may provide a new approach wherein CoQ10 may be considered as a potential effective therapeutic for the treatment of SCI.

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PMID: 

Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2019 ;15:1403-1410. Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31824163

Abstract Title: 

The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Serum Levels of Interleukin 6 and 8 in Women with Breast Cancer: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract: 

Background: To better evaluate the efficacy of CoQ10 on the inflammatory markers in breast cancer patients, we conducted a clinical study of patients with breast cancer undergoing tamoxifen therapy. CoQ10 serves as an antioxidant and inhibits oxidation caused by reactive oxygen species. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on serum levels of interleukin 6, 8, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with breast cancer undergoing tamoxifen therapy by a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.Methods: In the study, 30 breast cancer patients and 29 healthy subjects were randomized into four groups. Two groups of intervention received 100 mg CoQ10, and two control groups took placebo once a day for 2 months. Blood draws were obtained at baseline and at the end of the study. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF were analyzed using ELISA kits.Results: The data of the 59 participants were analyzed. Supplementation with CoQ10 demonstrated a significant decrease in IL-8 and IL-6 serum levels compared to placebo (P

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2019 Oct 23 ;11(11). Epub 2019 Oct 23. PMID: 31652711

Abstract Title: 

Ubiquinol Supplementation Alters Exercise Induced Fatigue by Increasing Lipid Utilization in Mice.

Abstract: 

Ubiquinol (QH), a reduced form of coenzyme Q10, is a lipid antioxidant that is hydro-soluble and is commonly formulated in commercial supplements. Ubiquinol has been increasingly reported to exert antioxidant functions, in addition to its role in the cell energy-producing system of mitochondria and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The aim of this study was to assess the potential beneficial effects of QH on anti-fatigue and ergogenic functions following physiological challenge. Forty 8-week-old male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into four groups (= 10 for each group): Group 1 (vehicle control or oil only); Group 2 (1X QH dose or 102.5 mg/kg); Group 3 (2X QH dose or 205 mg/kg); Group 4 (6X QH dose or 615 mg/kg). Anti-fatigue activity and exercise performance were studied using the forelimb grip strength experiment and exhaustive weight-loaded swimming time, and levels of serum lactate, ammonia, glucose, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatine kinase (CK), and free fatty acids (FFA) after an acute exercise challenge. The forelimb grip strength and exhaustive weight-loaded swimming time of the QH-6X group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. QH supplementation dose-dependently reduced serum lactate, ammonia, and CK levels and increased the FFA concentration after acute exercise. In addition, QH increased the liver and muscle glycogen content, an important energy source during exercise. Therefore, the results suggest that QH formulation is a safe dietary supplement for amelioration of fatigue and for promoting exercise performance.

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PMID: 

J Food Biochem. 2019 Dec 1:e13105. Epub 2019 Dec 1. PMID: 31788817

Abstract Title: 

Anti-obesity effects of enzyme-treated celery extract in mice fed with high-fat diet.

Abstract: 

The present study demonstrated the anti-obesity effects of enzyme-treated celery extract (ECE) in mice on high-fat diet (HFD). In vitro studies showed that ECE has anti-adipogenic properties by inhibiting lipid accumulations in adipose cells. In vivo studies indicated that the administration of ECE markedly prevented HFD-induced body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, and epididymal fat and liver weights. ECE reduced lipid parameters, cardiac risk factor, and atherogenic index in obese mice. ECE prevented a diabetes state by improving adipokines levels, reducing glucose levels, and preventing insulin resistance. Moreover, ECE prevented HFD-induced liver damage by preventing hepatic steatosis and upregulation of liver antioxidant enzymes. The mechanism of ECE was partially investigated to involve the activation of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and hence the downregulation of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteinα and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ by ECE. Our results suggest that ECE could be used as functional food materials for the prevention of obesity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Apium graveolens is a popular plant with nutritive and medicinal benefits. It contains bioactive compounds suchas apiin, apigenin, and luteolin. However, these compounds are rendered insoluble due to their interaction with polysaccharides in the cell wall thus making them less bioavailable. Hydrolyzing them could increase the yield of bioactive compounds in celery. This pilot study demonstrates that pectinase-treated celery extract has anti-obesity effects. The results of this research demonstrate the use of enzymes in improving the biological activities of plant extracts and suggest the use of enzyme-assisted extraction techniques in the industrial production of health functional food from celery.

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PMID: 

Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Nov 5 ;8(11). Epub 2019 Nov 5. PMID: 31694256

Abstract Title: 

Enhancement of Minor Ginsenosides Contents and Antioxidant Capacity of American and Canadian Ginsengs () by Puffing.

Abstract: 

The effects of puffing on ginsenosides content and antioxidant activities of American and Canadian ginsengs,, were investigated. American and Canadian ginsengs puffed at different pressures were extracted using 70% ethanol. Puffing formed a porous structure, inducing the efficient elution of internal compounds that resulted in significant increases in extraction yields and crude saponin content. The content of minor ginsenosides (Rg2, Rg3, compound K) increased with increasing puffing pressure, whereas that of major ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rd) decreased, possibly due to their deglycosylation and pyrolysis. Furthermore, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, amount of Maillard reaction products, and acidic polysaccharides content increased with increasing puffing pressure, but 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity did not. There was no substantial difference in the results between puffed American and Canadian ginsengs. Consequently, these results suggest that puffing can be a promising novel technology for processingto achieve higher levels of minor ginsenosides and obtain value-added products.

PMID: 

Am J Chin Med. 2019 Dec 2:1-17. Epub 2019 Dec 2. PMID: 31786947

Abstract Title: 

Ginsenoside Rb1, A Major Saponin from, Exerts Protective Effects Against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice.

Abstract: 

Acute liver injury (ALI) induced by acetaminophen (APAP) is the main cause of drug-induced liver injury. Previous reports indicated liver failure could be alleviated by saponins (ginsenosides) fromagainst APAP-induced inflammatory responses. However, validation towards ginsenoside Rb1 as a major and marker saponin may protect liver from APAP-induced ALI and its mechanisms are poorly elucidated. In this study, the protective effects and the latent mechanisms of Rb1 action against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated. Rb1 was administered orally with 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg daily for 1 week before a single injection of APAP (250mg/kg, i.p.) 1h after the last treatment of Rb1. Serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferases (ALT/AST), liver glutathione (GSH) depletion, as well as the inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-), interleukin-1(IL-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), were analyzed to indicate the underlying protective effects of Rb1 against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity with significant inflammatory responses. Histological examination further proved Rb1's protective effects. Importantly, Rb1 mitigated the changes in the phosphorylation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt, as well as its downstream factor NF-B. In conclusion, experimental data clearly demonstrated that Rb1 exhibited a remarkable liver protective effect against APAP-induced ALI, partly through regulating MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways-mediated inflammatory responses.

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Med. 2019 Nov 29. Epub 2019 Nov 29. PMID: 31789417

Abstract Title: 

Combination of the ginsenosides Rb3 and Rb2 exerts protective effects against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.

Abstract: 

Ginsenoside Rb3 (G‑Rb3) has been demonstrated to alleviate myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI); however, it is difficult to separate G‑Rb2 from its isomer G‑Rb3. The current study aimed to compare the cardioprotective effects of G‑Rb3 and the concomitant use of G‑Rb3 and G‑Rb2 (G‑Rb3/Rb2) on MIRI in rats. A rat model of MIRI was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and the rats were randomly divided into five groups. Prior to MIRI, G‑Rb3/Rb2 (20 mg/kg), G‑Rb3 (20 mg/kg) and diltiazem (DLZ; 20 mg/kg, as a positive control) were orally administeredto the rats once a day for 3 consecutive days. After 30 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion, cardiac function, infarct size, cardiac marker enzymes, antioxidative parameters, inflammatory factors, histopathological changes, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2), Bcl‑2‑associated X protein and caspase‑3 expression were determined using a multi‑channel physiological recording system, nitrotetrazolium blue chloride, biochemical kits, radioimmunoassay kits, hematoxylin and eosin, terminal deoxynucleotidyl‑transferase‑mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay,immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, respectively. The results indicated that treatment with G‑Rb3/Rb2 significantly protected rats against MIRI, as shown by improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial ischemic area, decreased serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase MB, decreased serum concentrations of interleukin‑6 and tumor necrosis factor‑α, decreased malondialdehyde concentration in myocardial tissues, increased activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in myocardial tissues, reduced histopathological changes in myocardial tissues, reduced number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes, and changes in the expression levels of caspase‑3, Bcl‑2 and Bax. In addition, the effects of treatment with G‑Rb3/Rb2, G‑Rb3 or DLZ were equivalent. The protective effects of G‑Rb3/Rb2 on MIRI were similar to those of G‑Rb3 in terms of oxidative stress, inflammatory factors and inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Therefore, G‑Rb3/Rb2 may be developed as a concomitant treatment for MIRI.

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PMID: 

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Oct ;71(Suppl 1):318-320. Epub 2018 Mar 15. PMID: 31741979

Abstract Title: 

Protective Effect ofExtract in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

Abstract: 

In India, head and neck cancers account for 30-40% cancers of all sites. Due to lack of screening program, wide variation in the availability of infrastructures and expertise, patients present at an advanced stage. The main stay of management of the head and neck tumours is surgery and chemoradiation. Radiation dermatitis and mucositis is one of the most common side effect encountered during the radiotherapy. Aim of our study was to study protective role of pomegranate extract on radiation induced dermatitis and mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. It was a prospective, clinical, double blind, case control study. 60 patients (30 active and controls) undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer were studied for 12 months. Patients in study group were given whole fruit pomegranate extract. Each capsule contained 300 mg of whole fruit extract, each capsule contains 40% polyphenols and 27% punicalagin. Each patient were given 2 capsules every day for a period of 6-7 weeks. The skin and mucosal changes was graded according to the acute radiation morbidity scoring criteria (RTOG) for skin and mucous membrane. The results were statistically significant. Pomegranate extract proved to be radioprotective. Our study is one of the first study in humans to demonstrate the effectiveness of pomegranate extract inpreventing radiation dermatitis and mucositis.

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PMID: 

J Microsc Ultrastruct. 2019 Oct-Dec;7(4):165-170. Epub 2019 Nov 18. PMID: 31803570

Abstract Title: 

Protective Effect of Pomegranate () Extract against Diabetic Changes in Adult Male Rat Liver: Histological Study.

Abstract: 

Background: Diabetes mellitus could be result from disorders in insulin secretion or receptors, characterized by hyperglycemia. Natural antioxidants including pomegranate have hypoglycemic effect.Aim of the Work: The present research was designed to evaluate the possible protective role of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) against diabetic-induced hepatic complication.Materials and Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats, weighed 200-250 g and aged 3 months, were sorted into four groups: Group 1: Used as control, Group 2: Normal rats received PPE (200 mg/kg bw/day) given orally for 11 consecutive weeks. Group 3: Streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats, injected with 55 mg/kg bw of STZ, and Group 4: Normal rats received PPE for 11 weeks and then rats were injected with STZ (55 mg/kg/bw). Effectiveness of the PPE was assessed by measuring serum glucose and histopathology of liver tissue. Liver enzymes were also assayed. PPE was found to control diabetic hyperglycemia and decrease in body weight. Histological examination showed that pretreatment with PPE provided preservation against diabetes-induced hepatic histological changes (necrotic and apoptosis).Result: Alanine aminotransferase, alanine phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly elevated in Group 3 diabetics and decreased in Group 4 which confirmed histological finding.Conclusion: This study confirmed the hypothesized possible protective effect of PPE against diabetic-induced histological and functional alteration of rat liver and advised its use by diabetic patients.

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PMID: 

Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2019 Sep ;22(9):977-988. PMID: 31807240

Abstract Title: 

Molecular targets of pomegranate () in preventing cancer metastasis.

Abstract: 

Metastasis is the primary cause of mortality and morbidity among cancer patients and accounts for about 90% of cancer deaths. The most common types of treatment for cancer metastasis are chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, such therapy has many serious side effects that could diminish the quality of life in patients. There is increased appreciation by the scientific community that natural compounds can be potential weapons in fighting against cancer. Interestingly, much evidence shows that pomegranate () has great potential to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we discussed the molecular targets of pomegranate, specifically, those that are prerequisite for cancer metastasis. The search was performed in Google Scholar, Medline, Scopus, and PubMed using keywords such as metastasis, pomegranate, and signaling pathways. Some of the most important papers from the search results were included. Based on recent studies, some molecules, including those involved in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesions, are affected by pomegranate. The other targets of pomegranate are modulators of cytoskeleton dynamics and regulators of cancer cell anoikis and chemotaxis. Furthermore, the antimetastatic effect of pomegranate may be attributed to molecular changes of the extracellular matrix. Pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic molecules are the other targets of pomegranate regarding cancer metastasis. A wide variety of molecules can be targeted by pomegranate to suppress tumor metastasis. A better understanding of the molecules regulated by pomegranate is needed to provide a rational basis for its clinical application.

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