PMID: 

Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 02 1 ;109(2):1-7. PMID: 30753322

Abstract Title: 

Plasma alkylresorcinol metabolite, a biomarker of whole-grain wheat and rye intake, and risk of ischemic stroke: a case-control study.

Abstract: 

Background: Epidemiologic studies on whole grains and risk of stroke have reported inconsistent results, with some suggesting a protective effect but others showing a null association.Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether plasma 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA), a biomarker of whole-grain wheat and rye intake, is associated with risk of ischemic stroke.Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted between March 2011 and May 2016. Cases (n = 990) with first ischemic stroke were matched to controls (n = 990) by sex and age. Concentrations of plasma DHPPA were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We calculated ORs for the association of plasma DHPPA concentrations with ischemic stroke riskthrough the use of logistic regression.Results: Plasma DHPPA was inversely associated with ischemic stroke risk. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the ORs for ischemic stroke across increasing quartiles of plasma DHPPA concentrations were 1 (referent), 0.76 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.99), 0.71 (95% CI: 0.54, 0.92), and 0.59 (95% CI: 0.45, 0.77), respectively (P-trend = 0.001). The inverse association was also observed in all subgroups of participants according to sex, age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, history of hypertension, and history of diabetes.Conclusions: Our study showed that higher plasma DHPPA concentrations were associated with lower risk of ischemic stroke. This finding provides further evidence to support the health benefits of whole-grain consumption.

read more

PMID: 

J Biol Res (Thessalon). 2019 Dec ;26:15. Epub 2019 Nov 12. PMID: 31754613

Abstract Title: 

Tanshinone IIA attenuates Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by down-regulating COX-2 expression and PGE2 synthesis via inactivation of NF-κB pathway in SH-SY5Y cells.

Abstract: 

Amyloid-β (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity is a major pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), extracted from traditional Chinese herb, possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, as well as neuroprotective effects. The present study aims to explore the possible mechanism by which Tan IIA attenuated Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to different concentrations of Aβ led to neurotoxicity by reducing cell viability, inducing cell apoptosis and increasing neuroinflammation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, Aβ treatment promoted cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion, and activated nuclear transcription factor kappa (NF-κB) pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. However, pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with Tan IIA prior to Aβ prevented these Aβ-induced cellular events noticeably. These data suggested that Tan IIA exerted its neuroprotective action by alleviating Aβ-induced increase in COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion via inactivation of NF-κB pathway.

read more

PMID: 

Avicenna J Phytomed. 2019 Nov-Dec;9(6):499-504. PMID: 31763209

Abstract Title: 

Beneficial effects of pumpkin seed oil as a topical hair growth promoting agent in a mice model.

Abstract: 

Objective: Pumpkin (L.) seed oil mainly consists of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Previously, it was reported that oral administration of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) improved hair growth in male pattern alopecia. This study aimed to evaluate hair promoting activity of topical PSO in an animal model.Materials and Methods: Male Swiss mice (25-30 g) were used. Dorsal hair of mice (2 x 2.5 cm) was gently removed. Groups were treated as follows: (A) Intact control (did not receive testosterone) (B) Testosterone solution only (5% w/v); (C) Testosterone (5%) + PSO (5%); (D) Testosterone (5%) + PSO (10%) (E) Testosterone (5%) + minoxidil (2%). Application of drugs (100µl) was done for six days a week, for 3 weeks. Observational and microscopic examinations were performed and results of different groups were compared.Results: Topical application of testosterone significantly (p

read more

PMID: 

Curr Top Med Chem. 2019 Nov 16. Epub 2019 Nov 16. PMID: 31738137

Abstract Title: 

The cytoprotective and anti-cancer potential of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera.

Abstract: 

Natural product therapy has been gaining therapeutic importance against various diseases including cancer. The failure of chemotherapy due to its associated adverse effects promoted adjunct therapy with natural products. Phytochemicals exert anti-carcinogenic activities through regulation of various cell signaling pathways such as cell survival, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and metastasis. The 'small molecule-chemosensitizing agents' from plants induce apoptosis in drug-resistant and host-immune resistant cancer cells in in vitro as well as in vivo models. For example, alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera, liensinine, isoliensinine, and neferine exert the anticancer activity through enhanced ROS generation, activation of MAP kinases, followed by induction of autophagy and apoptotic cell death. Likewise, these alkaloids also exert their cytoprotective action against cerebrovascular stroke/ischemic stroke, diabetes, and chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity. Therefore, the present review elucidates the pharmacological activities of these bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids which include the cytoprotective, anticancer, and chemosensitizing abilities against various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, and cancer.

read more

PMID: 

Addict Health. 2019 Apr ;11(2):66-72. PMID: 31321003

Abstract Title: 

Ginger Extract Reduces Chronic Morphine-Induced Neuroinflammation and Glial Activation in Nucleus Accumbens of Rats.

Abstract: 

Background: Chronic usage of morphine elicits the production of inflammatory factors by glial cells and induces neuroinflammation. Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) is a medicinal herb that has anti-inflammatory properties. It has been reported that ginger shows anti-addictive effects against chronic usage of morphine; however, its influence on morphine-induced neuroinflammation has not yet been clarified.Methods: Morphine (12 mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally for 6 consecutive days. To evaluate the effect of ginger on morphine-induced neuroinflammation, ginger extract (100 mg/kg) was given orally 30 minutes before morphine. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) levels were assayed by immunoblotting in the rat nucleus accumbens (NAcc).Findings: The injection of chronic morphine increased the levels of proteins involved in neuroinflammation (p38 MAPK and GFAP) in NAcc. Furthermore, the levels of p38 MAPK and GFAP significantly returned to the control levels by ginger extract.Conclusion: The results suggest that the ginger extract can reduce morphine-induced neuroinflammation in NAcc.

read more

PMID: 

Avicenna J Med Biotechnol. 2019 Jul-Sep;11(3):234-238. PMID: 31379996

Abstract Title: 

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Ginger Extract on Brain HMG-CoA Reductase and CYP46A1 Levels in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats.

Abstract: 

Background: Patients with diabetes present with lipid disorders, including hypercholesterolemia, which can be a high-risk factor for atherosclerosis. Recently, increasing interest has been focused on anti-lipidemic function of herbal medicines, especially(known as ginger), in diabetes. However, the mechanism underlying the effect of ginger on some players involved in cholesterol homeostasis of Central Nervous System (CNS) among diabetic patients remains unclear. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effect of ginger on brain regulation of Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1), which provides a rational model for understanding brain dyslipidemia mechanisms associated with diabetes.Methods: Brains of rats were isolated from four groups: control, non-treated diabetic, and treated diabetic groups receiving 200 or 400of hydroalcoholic extracts of ginger for eight weeks. HMG-CoA reductase and CYP46A1 levels in brain homogenates were determined by western-blot technique.Results: Ginger root extract caused a significant decrease in HMG-CoA reductase and an increase in CYP46A1 levels in treated diabetic groups compared to diabetic control. In comparison to diabetic group, these effects were more remarkable with 400concentration of ginger extract.Conclusion: The findings showed that ginger extract has a regulatory effect on proteins involved in cholesterol homeostasis in CNS by a significant down- and up-regulation of HMG-CoA reductase and CYP46A1 levels, respectively. It can be suggested that adding ginger to daily diet of diabetic patients has useful effects and may ameliorate diabetes complications.

read more

PMID: 

Nutr Cancer. 2019 Nov 5:1-13. Epub 2019 Nov 5. PMID: 31690139

Abstract Title: 

Ginger extract activates caspase independent paraptosis in cancer cells via ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, AIF translocation and DNA damage.

Abstract: 

The rhizome of ginger () a common culinary agent is also known for its medicinal activity. We have earlier reported that pure 6-shogaol, an important component of ginger induces paraptosis in triple negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and non small cell lung (A549) cancer cells. However, the chemopreventive potential of the whole ginger extract in food remains to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that ginger extract (GE) triggers similar anticancer activity/paraptosis against the same cell lines but through different molecular mechanisms. Q-TOF LC-MS analysis of the extract showed the presence of several other metabolites along with 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol. GE induces cytoplasmic vacuolation through ER stress and dilation of the ER. Drastic decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production along with the excess generation of ROS contributed to mitochondrial dysfunction. Consequently, GE caused the translocation of apoptosis inducing factor to the nucleus leading to the fragmentation of DNA. Taken together, these show a novel mechanism for ginger extract induced cancer cell death that can be of potential interest for cancer preventive strategies.

read more

PMID: 

An Acad Bras Cienc. 2019 ;91(4):e20180975. Epub 2019 Nov 11. PMID: 31721920

Abstract Title: 

Zingiber officinale formulation reduces hepatic injury and weight gain in rats fed an unhealthy diet.

Abstract: 

This study investigated the ability of formulation containing Zingiber officinale (ginger) to reverse health changes promoted by unhealthy diet in Wistar rats. Five compounds from the gingerol family and three from the shogaol family were identified in the chromatographic analyzes of the extract. The animals were fed a combination of unhealthy foods, the cafeteria diet, which promoted increases in body weight, hepatocyte nucleus area, total hepatocyte area and liver fat accumulation, as well as reduced hepatic glutathione S-transferase concentration, compared to the control group, which received commercial chow. The treatment with ginger improved all these results, highlighting the reduction of 10% of body weight and 66% of the total area of lipid droplets deposited, compared to the group that received the cafeteria diet. Ginger treatments also attenuated lipid peroxidation, with a mean reduction of 41% in malondialdehyde levels and a mean increase of 222% in glutathione S-transferase activity in the liver. The cafeteria diet and ginger extract did not promote significant changes in glycemic and lipid profile, liver weight and liver enzymes compared to the control group. We suggest that ginger can have beneficial effects on health complications associated with unhealthy diet, such as excessive adiposity, oxidative stress and hepatic injury.

read more

Watching more than two hours of screens a day may harm the structural integrity of white matter in preschoolers’ brains, with implications for language and literacy skills. Children under 2 years shouldn’t use screens, but even those 2 and over may face lifelong consequences of too much screen time during childhood

You may want to think twice before gifting your child a new tablet or cellphone this holiday season, as increasing research suggests screen time may cause more harm than good. 

read more

PMID: 

Environ Toxicol. 2019 Nov 13. Epub 2019 Nov 13. PMID: 31724279

Abstract Title: 

p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane promotes aerobic glycolysis via reactive oxygen species-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase/M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) signaling in colorectal cancer cells.

Abstract: 

Aerobic glycolysis is crucial to tumor cells to acquire energy for proliferation and metastasis. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), which is a persistent organic pollutant, has been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) progressions, but the influence of p,p'-DDT on CRC cell metabolism remains unclear. This study showed that exposure to low concentrations of p,p'-DDT from 10to 10M for 48 hours significantly increased glucose uptake and lactate production in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, which were accompanied by the upregulation of proteins associated with aerobic glycolysis including glucose transporter1, lactate dehydrogenase A, and PDH kinase. We found p,p'-DDT elevated theexpression and nucleus translocation of M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2), which was responsible for p,p'-DDT-induced enhancement of aerobic glycolysis. Moreover, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation by p,p'-DDT modulated the impacts of p,p'-DDT on PKM2 and aerobic glycolysis. Treatment of p,p'-DDT increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an ROS inhibitor, prevented p,p'-DDT-induced promotion of aerobic glycolysis, ERK1/2 activation, upregulation, and nucleus translocation of PKM2. Taken together, these results demonstrated that p,p'-DDT promotes aerobic glycolysis via ROS-mediated ERK/PKM2 signaling.

read more