PMID: 

Sci Total Environ. 2019 Nov 3:134664. Epub 2019 Nov 3. PMID: 31757552

Abstract Title: 

Ginger extract ameliorates bisphenol A (BPA)-induced disruption in thyroid hormones synthesis and metabolism: Involvement of Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.

Abstract: 

Environmental exposure to BPA is alarming because of the potential health threats for example those concerning the thyroid glands which may show signs of oxidative stress. This original study aimed to investigate the possible antioxidant protective effects of ginger extract (GE) against BPA-induced thyroid injury in male rats, focusing on its effect on Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling and thyroid hormone synthesis regulating genes. The cascade of events in thyroid injury induced by chronic exposure to BPA (200 mg/kg b.w/day for 35 days) involved a preliminary overproduction of ROS followed by significant (p ≤ 0.05) depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as significant increases of malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression. These actions consequently down-regulate the Nrf-2/HO-I signaling which eventually resulting in the DNA fragmentation within the thyroid tissues. Moreover, BPA administration caused a reduction of thyroid iodide uptake evidenced by significant inhibitions (p ≤ 0.05) of sodium-iodide symporter (NIS), thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) mRNA expressions within the thyroid glands. A subsequent significant decreased serum levels of T3 and T4 accompanied by a significantly increased serum TSHlevel were also detected. These findings were confirmed by the severe pathological changes detected in the thyroid tissue of BPA treated rats. These biochemical and histological alterations were significantly alleviated with ginger administration (250 mg/kg b.w/day for 35 days) plus BPA. In conclusion, ginger extract is a potent antioxidant that can effectively protect against BPA-induced thyroid oxidative damage by activating the Nrf-2/HO-1 gene expressions and enhancing the thyroid hormones synthesis. This is the first study to show the contribution of Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway to the protective effect of ginger extract against BPA-induced thyroid oxidative damage and thyroid hormonal disruption.

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PMID: 

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Oct 15 ;19(1):267. Epub 2019 Oct 15. PMID: 31615487

Abstract Title: 

Coix seed oil ameliorates cancer cachexia by counteracting muscle loss and fat lipolysis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Cancer cachexia is a cancer-induced multifactorial debilitating syndrome directly accounting for 20% of cancer deaths without effective therapeutic approaches. It is extremely urgent to explore effective anti-cachexia drugs to ameliorate muscle and fat loss in cachexia patients.METHODS: Lewis lung carcinoma bearing C57BL/6 mice were applied as the animal model to examine the therapeutic effect of Coix seed oil (CSO) on cancer cachexia. The food intake and body weight change were monitored every 3 days throughout the experiment. The IL-6 and TNF-α levels in serum were detected by ELISA assay. Several key proteins involved in muscle wasting and fat lipolysis were tested by Western blot to identify the potential mechanism of CSO.RESULTS: Administration of CSO through gavage significantly prevented body weight loss and ameliorated systemic inflammation without affecting food intake and tumor size. The weight and histological morphology of gastrocnemius muscle and epididymal adipose tissue in CSO-treated mice were also improved. In mechanism, we found that CSO decreased the expression of MuRF1 and the ratio of phospho-p65 (Ser536) to p65 in muscle tissue. Meanwhile, cancer-induced activation of HSL and AMPK was also inhibited by CSO administration.CONCLUSION: Coix seed oil exerts an anti-cachexia pharmaceutical effect by counteracting muscle and adipose tissue loss most likely through regulating NF-κB-MuRF1 and AMPK-HSL pathway.

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Oct 23 ;20(21). Epub 2019 Oct 23. PMID: 31652737

Abstract Title: 

Coix Seed Extract Enhances the Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Efficacy of Gemcitabine through Regulating ABCB1- and ABCG2-Mediated Drug Efflux: A Bioluminescent Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study.

Abstract: 

A deep insight into the function and kinetics of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters may aid in the development of pharmaceutics that can minimize the particular facet of chemo-resistance. We utilized bioluminescence imaging to monitor the ABC transporter mediated intracellular drug efflux function. We also investigated the potential association between the intracellular bioluminescent pharmacokinetic profiles and the anti-tumor efficacy of the coix seed extract and gemcitabine against pancreatic cancer cellsand. The bioluminescent pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic index (ICand TGI) were determined. The expression levels ABCB1 and ABCG2 were assessed. Results showed that coix seed extract could synergistically enhance the anti-cancer efficacy of gemcitabine (

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PMID: 

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Nov 15 ;19(1):312. Epub 2019 Nov 15. PMID: 31729992

Abstract Title: 

Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen Stapf sprout extract induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma cells.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related mortality in females. Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen (Rom.Caill.) Stapf ex Hook. f. is the most widely recognized medicinal herb for its remedial effects against inflammation, endocrine system dysfunctions, warts, chapped skin, rheumatism, and neuralgia and is also a nourishing food.METHODS: To investigate the activity of Coix lacryma-jobi sprout extract (CLSE) on cell proliferation in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, we conducted a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Flow-cytometric analysis and western blot analysis were performed to verify the effect of CLSE on the regulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis in HeLa cells.RESULTS: We observed that CLSE significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Furthermore, CLSE dose-dependently promoted cell cycle arrest at the sub-G1/ S phase in HeLa cells, as detected by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) staining. The cell-cycle-arrest effects of CLSE in HeLa cells were associated with downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 2, 4, and 6. Moreover, CLSE induced apoptosis, as determined by flow-cytometric analysis and nuclear DNA fragmentation with Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) and 4'6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Induction of apoptosis by CLSE was involved in inhibition of the antiapoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and upregulation of the apoptotic proteins p53, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-8. Finally, we observed that CLSE inactivated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) pathways.CONCLUSIONS: CLSE causes cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death through inactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in HeLa cells, suggesting it is a viable therapeutic agent for cervical cancer owing to its anticancer effects.

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PMID: 

Food Funct. 2019 Jul 17 ;10(7):4372-4380. PMID: 31276140

Abstract Title: 

Effect of polysaccharides from adlay seed on anti-diabetic and gut microbiota.

Abstract: 

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance andβ-cell dysfunction. This study aims to examine the effects of polysaccharides from adlay seeds (PAS) on hyperglycemia and gut microbiota in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The administration of PAS in diabetic mice caused a significant decrease in the glucose level and serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Similarly, PAS also showed decreased total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. Furthermore, a significant increase in the concentrations of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) was observed. Unexpectedly, PAS reduced the concentrations of anti-amyloid beta(Aβ1-42) protein. Also, histopathological examination showed that PAS contributed to the reduction of STZ-lesioned pancreatic cells. Metformin treatment significantly reduced the diversity of the gut microbiota, while PAS treatment altered the diversity and composition of the microbiota. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the hypoglycemic effects of PAS in type-2 diabetic mice (T2D) may be associated with the regulation of the intestinal microbiota and its metabolic pathways.

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PMID: 

J Med Food. 2019 Jan ;22(1):22-28. PMID: 30673500

Abstract Title: 

Adlay Bran Oil Suppresses Hepatic Gluconeogenesis and Attenuates Hyperlipidemia in Type 2 Diabetes Rats.

Abstract: 

This study aimed to examine the antidiabetic effects of various concentrations of adlay bran oil (ABO) in high fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Dietary supplementation with 10% ABO for 4 weeks effectively decreased the blood triacylglycerol, glucose, and total cholesterol levels in diabetic rats, although body weight remained the same. The mRNA and protein expressions of hepatic glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) were increased and that of glucokinase (GCK) were decreased in diabetic rats. However, 10% ABO treatment reduced the mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT-2 and PEPCK and elevated the expression of hepatic GCK in diabetic rats. Thus, ABO enhanced hepatic glucose metabolism to decrease blood glucose in diabetic rats. In addition, 10% ABO supplementation increased the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) relative to the total Akt levels in the muscles of diabetic rats, indicating enhanced insulin sensitivity. The results indicate that ABO displays a potential for improving hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in diabetes by enhancing insulin sensitivity and hepatic glucose metabolism.

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PMID: 

Pharm Biol. 2019 Dec ;57(1):792-798. PMID: 31747811

Abstract Title: 

extract ameliorates inflammation and oxidative stress in a complete Freund's adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis model.

Abstract: 

Adlay seed [Job's tears,L. var. ma-yuen Stapf (Poaceae)] is a Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been investigated to treat inflammatory diseases and rheumatism.This study evaluates the ameliorative effects of adlay seed extract (ASE) in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats.The RA Sprague-Dawley rat model was induced and randomly divided into six groups with or without ASE treatment (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg). After 28 d administration, the symptoms, biochemical parameters and molecular mechanisms were investigated.The values of paw oedema, PGEand MMP-3 decreased from 1.46 ± 0.04 to 0.66 ± 0.07 cm, from 126.2 ± 11.48 to 79.71 ± 6.8 pg/mL and from 142.7 ± 8.36 to 86.51 ± 5.95 ng/mL, respectively; the values of body weight increased from 177.25 ± 5.94 to 205 ± 6.52 g in HASE group. In addition, treatment of ASE reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1), and increased the activities of antioxidant enzyme (GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT). Furthermore, ASE could suppress the mRNA expression of COX-2 and CHI3L1 and improve the mRNA expression of CAT and GPx-1 in ankle tissues of RA rats.For the first time, our results indicated ASE exerts anti-RA effects via inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors and alleviating oxidative stress. Our finding sheds light on the research and development of anti-RA functional foods from adlay seed.

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PMID: 

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019 Nov 15. Epub 2019 Nov 15. PMID: 31728799

Abstract Title: 

Anti-Influenza Virus Activity of Adlay Tea Components.

Abstract: 

Our previous study showed anti-influenza virus activity in adlay tea prepared from adlay seeds, naked barley seeds, soybean, and cassia seeds. In this study, we evaluated the anti-influenza virus activity of each component of this tea and analyzed their active ingredients. Each component was roasted and extracted in hot water; the extracts were tested for antiviral activity and their mechanisms of action were studied. All the tea components showed antiviral activity against the H1N1 and H3N2 influenza subtypes and against influenza B. The viral stages inhibited by the components were virus adsorption and replication in proliferative process, suggesting that the action mechanisms of the components might differ from those of oseltamivir acid. Of the tea components, soybean showed the strongest activity. Therefore, we analyzed its active ingredients by liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/qTOF-MS) and daidzein and glycitein were detected as active ingredients. Here, anti-influenza virus action of glycitein was the first report.

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PMID: 

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2019 Oct 11. Epub 2019 Oct 11. PMID: 31748179

Abstract Title: 

The impact of probiotic yogurt consumption on lipid profiles in subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Potential beneficial effect of probiotic yogurt on the lipid profile has raised much interest. However, the results are inconsistent in this regard. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of probiotic yogurt on serum lipid profile in individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.METHODS AND RESULTS: Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Igaku Chuo Zasshi were searched until March 19th 2019. The effect sizes were expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Seven eligible trials with 274 participants were included in this systematic review. Pooling of 9 effect sizes from these seven articles revealed a significant reduction in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels following probiotic yogurt consumption (mean difference: -8.73 mg/dl, 95% CI: -15.98, -1.48, p-value = 0.018 and mean difference: -10.611 mg/dl, 95% CI: -16.529, -4.693, p-value = 0.000, respectively) without significant heterogeneity among the studies (I = 40.6%, p-value = 0.1 and I = 24.2%, p-value = 0.229, respectively). The results showed no significant changes in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Also, none of the variables showed a significant change for sensitivity analysis.CONCLUSION: Available evidence suggests that probiotic yogurt can significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL-c in subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia without a significant effect on HDL-c and triglyceride levels.

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PMID: 

Adv Nutr. 2017 Nov ;8(6):812-829. Epub 2017 Nov 15. PMID: 29141967

Abstract Title: 

Yogurt and Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Critical Review of Potential Mechanisms.

Abstract: 

Associations between yogurt intake and risk of diet-related cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) have been the subject of recent research in epidemiologic nutrition. A healthy dietary pattern has been identified as a pillar for the prevention of weight gain and CMDs. Epidemiologic studies suggest that yogurt consumption is linked to healthy dietary patterns, lifestyles, and reduced risk of CMDs, particularly type 2 diabetes. However, to our knowledge, few to no randomized controlled trials have investigated yogurt intake in relation to cardiometabolic clinical outcomes. Furthermore, there has been little attempt to clarify the mechanisms that underlie the potential beneficial effects of yogurt consumption on CMDs. Yogurt is a nutrient-dense dairy food and has been suggested to reduce weight gain and prevent CMDs by contributing to intakes of protein, calcium, bioactive lipids, and several other micronutrients. In addition, fermentation with bacterial strains generates bioactive peptides, resulting in a potentially greater beneficial effect of yogurt on metabolic health than nonfermented dairy products such as milk. To date, there is little concrete evidence that the mechanisms proposed in observational studies to explain positive results of yogurt on CMDs or parameters are valid. Many proposed mechanisms are based on assumptions that commercial yogurts contain strain-specific probiotics, that viable yogurt cultures are present in adequate quantities, and that yogurt provides a minimum threshold dose of nutrients or bioactive components capable of exerting a physiologic effect. Therefore, the primary objective of this review is to investigate the plausibility of potential mechanisms commonly cited in the literature in order to shed light on the inverse associations reported between yogurt intake and various cardiometabolic health parameters that are related to its nutrient profile, bacterial constituents, and food matrix. This article reviews current gaps and challenges in identifying such mechanisms and provides a perspective on the research agenda to validate the proposed role of yogurt in protecting against CMDs.

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