PMID: 

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019 Nov 22. Epub 2019 Nov 22. PMID: 31758301

Abstract Title: 

The Effects of Green Tea Amino Acid L-Theanine Consumption on the Ability to Manage Stress and Anxiety Levels: a Systematic Review.

Abstract: 

The green tea amino acid, L-theanine (L-THE) is associated with several health benefits, including improvements in mood, cognition and a reduction of stress and anxiety-like symptoms. This systematic review evaluated the effect of pure L-THE intake, in the form of orally administered nutritional supplements, on stress responses and anxiety levels in human randomised controlled trials. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist, 9 peer-reviewed journal articles were identified where L-THE as a supplement was compared to a control. Our findings suggest that supplementation of 200-400 mg/day of L-THE may assist in the reduction of stress and anxiety in people exposed to stressful conditions. Despite this finding, longer-term and larger cohort clinical studies, including those where L-THE is incorporated into the diet regularly, are needed to clinically justify the use of L-THEas a therapeutic agent to reduce stress and anxiety in people exposed to stressful conditions.

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PMID: 

J Nutr Biochem. 2019 Oct 27 ;76:108262. Epub 2019 Oct 27. PMID: 31759197

Abstract Title: 

Mitigation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat-fed mice by the combination of decaffeinated green tea extract and voluntary exercise.

Abstract: 

We have shown that combination treatment with decaffeinated green tea extract (GTE) and voluntary exercise (Ex) reduces obesity and insulin resistance in high-fat (HF)-fed mice to a greater extent than either treatment alone. Here, we investigated the effects of GTE-, Ex- or the combination on the development of obesity-related NAFLD. Male C57BL/6 J mice were treated for 16 weeks with HF diet (60% energy from fat), HF supplemented with 7.7 g GTE/kg, HF plus access to a voluntary running wheel, or the combination. We found that treatment of mice with the combination mitigated the development of HF-induced NAFLD to a greater extent than either treatment alone. Combination-treated mice had lower plasma alanine aminotransferase (92% lower) and hepatic lipid accumulation (80% lower) than HF-fed controls: the effect of the single treatments was less significant. Mitigation of NAFLD was associated with higher fecal lipid and nitrogen levels. Combination treated, but not singly treated mice, had higher hepatic expression of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis (sirtuin 1 [59%]; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ coactivator 1α [42%]; nuclear respiratory factor 1 [38%]; and transcription factor B1, mitochondrial [89%]) compared to the HF-fed controls. GTE-, Ex-, and the combination-treatment groups also had higher hepatic expression of genes related to cholesterol synthesis and uptake, but the combination was not better than the single treatments. Our results suggest the combination of GTE and Ex can effectively mitigate NAFLD. Future studies should determine if the combination is additive or synergistic compared to the single treatments.

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PMID: 

Br J Nutr. 2019 Nov 25:1-10. Epub 2019 Nov 25. PMID: 31760957

Abstract Title: 

Tea consumption and risk of diabetes in Chinese population: a multi-center, cross-sectional study.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study is to explore the influence of tea consumption on diabetes mellitus in Chinese population. This multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted in eight sites from south, east, north, west and middle regions in China by enrolling 12,017 subjects aged 20-70. Sociodemographic and general information were collected by standardized questionnaire. Standard procedure was used to measure anthropometric characteristics and obtain blood samples. The diagnosis of diabetes was determined using a standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. In the final analysis, 10,825 participants were included, and multiple logistic models and interaction effect analysis were applied for assessing the association between tea-drinking with diabetes. Compared with non-tea drinkers, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for newly-diagnosed diabetes were 0.80(0.67, 0.97), 0.88(0.71, 1.09) and 0.86(0.67, 1.11) for daily tea-drinkers, occasional tea-drinkers and seldom tea-drinkers, respectively. Furthermore, drinking tea daily was related to decreased risk of diabetes in female by 32%, elderly (>45y) by 24% and obese (BMI>30kg/m2) by 34%. Moreover, drinking dark tea was associated with reduced risk of diabetes by 45% [OR: 0.55 (0.42, 0.72), P

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2019 Nov 16 ;11(11). Epub 2019 Nov 16. PMID: 31744119

Abstract Title: 

Sub-Chronic Consumption of Dark Chocolate Enhances Cognitive Function and Releases Nerve Growth Factors: A Parallel-Group Randomized Trial.

Abstract: 

Previous research has shown that habitual chocolate intake is related to cognitive performance and that frequent chocolate consumption is significantly associated with improved memory. However, little is known about the effects of the subchronic consumption of dark chocolate (DC) on cognitive function and neurotrophins. Eighteen healthy young subjects (both sexes; 20-31 years old) were randomly divided into two groups: a DC intake group (= 10) and a cacao-free white chocolate (WC) intake group (= 8). The subjects then consumed chocolate daily for 30 days. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma levels of theobromine (a methylxanthine most often present in DC), nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and to analyze hemodynamic parameters. Cognitive function was assessed using a modified Stroop color word test and digital cancellation test. Prefrontal cerebral blood flow was measured during the tests. DC consumption increased the NGF and theobromine levels in plasma, enhancing cognitive function performance in both tests. Interestingly, the DC-mediated enhancement of cognitive function was observed three weeks after the end of chocolate intake. WC consumption did not affect NGF and theobromine levels or cognitive performance. These results suggest that DC consumption has beneficial effects on human health by enhancing cognitive function.

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PMID: 

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2019 Jun 25. Epub 2019 Jun 25. PMID: 31236643

Abstract Title: 

The effect of acute cocoa flavanol intake on the BOLD response and cognitive function in type 1 diabetes: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded cross-over pilot study.

Abstract: 

RATIONALE: Type 1 diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune disease, can result in cognitive dysfunction and is associated with vascular dysfunction. Cocoa flavanols (CFs) can stimulate nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation, resulting in enhanced hemodynamic responses and better cognitive function.OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether acute CF supplementation can improve cognitive function and hemodynamic responses in T1D.METHODS: In this randomized, double-blinded, cross-over pilot study, 11 patients with T1D and their healthy matched controls consumed CF (900 mg CF) and placebo (15 mg CF) 2 h before a flanker test. fMRI was used to measure blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response during the cognitive test. Repeated measure ANOVAs were used to test the effects of CF and T1D on BOLD response and cognitive performance.RESULTS: CF improved reaction time on the flanker test and increased the BOLD response in the supramarginal gyrus parietal lobe and inferior frontal gyrus, compared to placebo, in both groups. In patients with T1D, cognitive performance was not deteriorated while the BOLD response was smaller in T1D compared to healthy controls in the subgyral temporal lobe and the cerebellum.CONCLUSIONS: Acute CF intake improved reaction time on the flanker test and increased the BOLD response in the activated brain areas in patients with T1D and their matched controls.

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PMID: 

Microvasc Res. 2019 Oct 22 ;128:103931. Epub 2019 Oct 22. PMID: 31654654

Abstract Title: 

Acute consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa beverage improves attenuated cutaneous microvascular function in healthy young African Americans.

Abstract: 

Flavanols have beneficial effects on vascular health and we have recently demonstrated that cerebral vasodilatory capacity in healthy young African Americans (AA) is improved with acute flavanol intake relative to aged-matched Caucasian Americans (CA). However, whether the positive benefits of acute flavanol consumption would also be present in the cutaneous microvascular circulation of AA remains unknown. Thus, we hypothesized that acute consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa (FC) would improve the previously reported reduced cutaneous microvascular responses to local heating in young AA. Seven AA and seven CA participated in this double-blind crossover study. Data were collected on two different days, separated by a minimum of one week. Two intradermal microdialysis membranes were inserted in the forearm and each site was randomly assigned to receive lactated Ringer's solution or NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor. Participants were randomly assigned to consume either a non-flavanol containing (NF) beverage or FC beverage. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as cutaneous blood flux/mean arterial pressure and normalized as % maximal CVC (%CVCmax). The difference in %CVCmax between the Ringer's site and NOS inhibited site was calculated to assess NO contribution (Δ %CVCmax). In the Ringer's site, acute consumption of FC beverage improved %CVCmax during 39 °C heating when compared to NF beverage in AA (NF: 36 ± 6 vs. FC: 47 ± 5%CVCmax; P 

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PMID: 

Molecules. 2019 Nov 18 ;24(22). Epub 2019 Nov 18. PMID: 31752142

Abstract Title: 

Carnosic Acid Attenuates Cadmium Induced Nephrotoxicity by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Promoting Nrf2/HO-1 Signalling and Impairing TGF-β1/Smad/Collagen IV Signalling.

Abstract: 

Cadmium (Cd) imparts nephrotoxicity via triggering oxidative stress and pathological signal transductions in renal cells. The present study was performed to explore the protective mechanism of carnosic acid (CA), a naturally occurring antioxidant compound, against cadmium chloride (CdCl)-provoked nephrotoxicity employing suitable in vitro and in vivo assays. CA (5µM) exhibited an anti-apoptotic effect against CdCl(40 µM) in normal kidney epithelial (NKE) cells evidenced from cell viability, image, and flow cytometry assays. In this study, CdCltreatment enhanced oxidative stress by triggering free radical production, suppressing the endogenous redox defence system, and inhibiting nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation in NKE cells and mouse kidneys. Moreover, CdCltreatment significantly endorsed apoptosis and fibrosis via activation of apoptotic and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)/collagen IV signalling pathways, respectively. In contrast, CA treatment significantly attenuated Cd-provoked nephrotoxicity via inhibiting free radicals, endorsing redox defence, suppressing apoptosis, and inhibiting fibrosis in renal cells in bothin vitro and in vivo systems. In addition, CA treatment significantly (

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PMID: 

Nutr Cancer. 2019 Oct 12:1-11. Epub 2019 Oct 12. PMID: 31608667

Abstract Title: 

attenuates bleomycin-induced oxidative stress and lung fibrosis in rats.

Abstract: 

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by progressive and irreversible fibroblasts proliferation leading to significant respiratory insufficiency. This study was designed to investigate the effect of sage infusion against bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis in rats. Male Wistar rats were given a single dose of BLM (4 mg/kg, intratracheal), while sage infusion (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was administered 3 day later and continued for 4 weeks. We reveled by HPLC and LC-MS methods an important amount of phenolic bioactive compounds such as vanillic, gallic, ellagic, rosmarinic and carnosic acids. BLM induced collagen deposition, increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Only sage infusion at 150 mg/kg normalized MDA and antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD and CAT) and reduced significantly lung fibrosis. Our results showed alsothat this high dose have no renal or hepatic cytotoxic effect. In conclusion, sage can protect against BLM-induced murine lung fibrosis and oxidative stress due to the large content of bioactive phenolic compounds.

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2005 Feb ;19(2):170-2. PMID: 15852491

Abstract Title: 

Hepatoprotective activity of aqueous-methanol extract of Artemisia vulgaris.

Abstract: 

The effect of a crude extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris (Av.Cr) was investigated against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced hepatitis in mice. Co-administration of D-GalN (700 mg[sol ]kg) and LPS (1 microg[sol ]kg) significantly (p

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PMID: 

J BUON. 2018 Jan-Feb;23(1):73-78. PMID: 29552763

Abstract Title: 

Herbal extract of Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) induces antitumor effects in HCT-15 human colon cancer cells via autophagy induction, cell migration suppression and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: Artemisia vulgaris (A.vulgaris) belonging to family Compositae, commonly known as mugwort, has been used as a medicinal herb in Chinese traditional medicine for treatment of diseases. Studies have reported a diversity of activities for this plant which include antiseptic, antispasmodic, antigastric, anticancer and nervous system diseases. However, the anticancer activity of A.vulgaris in HCT-15 human colon cancer cells has not been scientifically validated. Therefore the present study aimed at evaluating the anticancer activity of methanolic extract of A.vulgaris against HCT-15 human colon cancer cell line.METHODS: Cell cytotoxicity effects of the extract were evaluated by MTT cell viability assay, while clonogenic assay assessed the effects on cancer cell colony formation. Effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated by flow cytometry. In vitro wound healing assay was used to evaluate the effects on cell migration. To confirm autophagy, we evaluated the expression of several autophagy-associated proteins using Western blot assay.RESULTS: Results indicated that the methanolic extract of A.vulgaris exhibited an IC50 value of 50μg/ml and exerted its cytotoxic effects in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it was observed that the extract inhibits colony formation and induces autophagy dose-dependently. The underlying mechanism for the induction of autophagy was found to be ROS-mediated MMP and significant inhibition of cell migration potential of colon cancer cells at the IC50 was observed.CONCLUSION: These results strongly stress that the methanolic extract may prove a source for the isolation of novel anticancer lead molecules for the management of colon cancer.

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