PMID: 

Toxicol Res. 2019 Oct ;35(4):403-410. Epub 2019 Oct 15. PMID: 31636851

Abstract Title: 

Theracurmin (Highly Bioavailable Curcumin) Prevents High Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis Development in Mice.

Abstract: 

Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol isolated from the. plant, has many pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemo-preventive activities. Curcumin has been shown to have potential in preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the low bioavailability of curcumin has proven to be a major limiting factor in its clinical adoption. Theracurmin, a highly bioavailable curcumin that utilizes micronized technology showed improved biological absorbability. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of theracurmin in modulating hepatic lipid metabolism. A fatty liver mouse model was produced by feeding mice a high fat diet (HFD; 60% fat) for 12 weeks. We found that treatment for 12 weeks with theracurmin significantly lowered plasma triacylglycerol (TG) levels and reduced HFD-induced liver fat accumulation. Theracurmin treatment lowered hepatic TG and total cholesterol (T-CHO) levels in HFD-fed mice compared to controls. In addition, theracurmin administration significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species in HFD-fed mice. Overall, these results suggest that theracurmin has the ability to control lipid metabolism and can potentially serve as an effective therapeutic remedy for the prevention of fatty liver.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2019 Oct 21 ;11(10). Epub 2019 Oct 21. PMID: 31640183

Abstract Title: 

Water Extract ofL. Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Abstract: 

Our aim was to investigate whether hot water extract (CLW) ofL. could prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). HepG2 cells were treated with free fatty acid (FFA) mixture (oleic acid: palmitic acid, 2:1) for 24 h to stimulate in vitro fatty liver. In addition, C57BL/6 mice were fed 60 kcal% high-fat (HF) diet for eight weeks to induce fatty liver in vivo. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) productions were increased by FFA and HF-diet, but supplementation with CLW significantly decreased these levels. CLW treatment ameliorated antioxidant activities that were suppressed by exposure to the FFA and HF-diet. Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and fatty acid transport proteins (FATP2 and FATP5) were increased in HF-diet groups, while CLW suppressed their expression levels. Moreover, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression levels were down-regulated in the CLW groups compared to HF-diet groups. On the other hand, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) expressions were up-regulated in the CLW groups. HF-diet fed mice showed high hepatic triglycerides (TG) content compared to the normal diet mice. However, the administration of CLW restored the hepatic TG level, indicating an inhibitory effect against lipid accumulation by CLW. These results suggest that CLW could be a potentially useful agent for the prevention of NAFLD through modulating fatty acid uptake.

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PMID: 

J BUON. 2019 Jul-Aug;24(4):1482-1487. PMID: 31646795

Abstract Title: 

Curcumin effects on cell proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: Curcumin is a natural phytopolyphenol compound isolated from the root of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and possesses a wide range of biological properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative, wound healing, anti-invasive and anti-migrative effects of curcumin on HCT-116 and LoVo colorectal cancer cell lines.METHODS: The antiproliferative activity of 2.5-75µM curcumin was tested on HCT-116 and LoVo colorectal cell lines and the viability of the cells was tested with WST-1 reagent by using ELISA plate reader at 450 nm. xCELLigence RTCA DP system was used for the detection of anti-invasive and anti-migrative effects of curcumin.RESULTS: The IC50 of curcumin was 10±0.03 for HCT-116 and 20±0.05 µM for LoVo cell lines. The IC50 of curcumin (10µM for HCT-116 and 20 µM for LoVo) showed anti-metastatic activity on these cell lines.CONCLUSION: This study showed that curcumin could be evaluated as a promising anti-cancer agent for human colorectal cancer.

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PMID: 

Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Oct 23 ;8(11). Epub 2019 Oct 23. PMID: 31652746

Abstract Title: 

Puffing as a Novel Process to Enhance the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties ofL. (Turmeric).

Abstract: 

L. (turmeric) is used as a food spice; however, its strong taste restricts wider applications as a food ingredient despite its well-known health benefits. To develop an effective yet simple process for enhancing its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, turmeric was gun-puffed at various pressures. Puffed turmeric exhibited an increase in its brown color and porous structures, indicating the occurrence of the Maillard reaction and vaporization during the process. Proximal analysis revealed that puffing did not alter the major constituents, although a very small decrease in crude fat extraction was observed under some circumstances. Total phenolic compounds in the extract were significantly increased after puffing, and subsequent assessment of antioxidant capacity, as determined using independent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, demonstrated enhanced antioxidant capacity in a puffing-pressure-dependent manner. Turmeric extract was further tested for the regulation of inflammatory responses in the murine macrophage RAW264.7 cell line. Suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced macrophages was amplified using puffed-turmeric extracts compared to the control extract. Furthermore, macrophage-activation assessment revealed downregulated expression of inflammation-relevant cluster of differentiation (CD)80 and CD86 using puffed-turmericextract in a puffing-pressure-dependent manner. However, expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-II, which controls adoptive immunity, was not affected by treatment with any of the turmeric extracts. Overall, the current study demonstrated that puffing is a promising and simple method for enhancing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric.

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PMID: 

Pak J Biol Sci. 2018 Jan ;21(7):348-358. PMID: 30417995

Abstract Title: 

Health Benefits of Fennel, Rosemary Volatile Oils and their Nano-Forms in Dyslipidemic Rat Model.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dyslipidemia is a major health problem that may lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In the present research, a biological experiment was run on dyslipidemic rats to study the health benefits of the volatile oils (VOs) of fennel and rosemary in its original and nano-form using chitosan as carrier.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into 6 groups; normal control, dyslipidemic control and 4 test groups with dyslipidemia and treated by VOs of fennel and rosemary and their respective nano-forms separately. Glucose tolerance test was carried out after 4 weeks. Parameters reflecting oxidative stress/antioxidant plasma catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood uric acid, were assessed. Plasma lipid profile and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as inflammatory biomarker were determined. Liver and kidney function were assessed as determinant of the safety of the different VO forms. Twenty four hour urinary volume was measured to assess creatinine clearance and to evaluate the possible diuretic activity of the VOs.RESULTS: Dyslipidemic control rats showed dyslipidemia, increased CVDs risk, liver dysfunction, elevated MDA and TNF-α with marked increase in blood sugar after half an hour of glucose ingestion compared to normal control. Treatment with the four VOs forms improved the majority of the biochemical parameters.CONCLUSION: All treatment showed cardio and hepato- protective effect and safety towards kidney and blood sugar. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were significantly improved by the different treatments; both VO forms of fennel were more efficient in ameliorating inflammation.

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PMID: 

Toxicol Mech Methods. 2019 Nov ;29(9):710-722. Epub 2019 Aug 20. PMID: 31364915

Abstract Title: 

Triggering of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by fennel and clove oils in Caco-2 cells: the role of combination.

Abstract: 

Fennel () and clove () oils are known for their various biological effects, including anticancer properties.To investigate the anticancer effect of combined fennel and clove oil treatment on Caco-2 cells and normal human lymphocytes (NHL).GC-MS,cytotoxicity, morphological, apoptosis-related marker, and flow cytometric cell cycle distribution analyses were conducted.Seventeen volatile compounds were identified in fennel oil, including-anethole (68.3%) and (+)-fenchone (8.1%). In clove oil, 22 compounds, including eugenol (71.4%) and caryophyllene (8.7%), were identified. ICof the fennel, clove, and oil mixture were 300 ± 5.0, 150 ± 4.0, and 73 ± 2.5 µg/mL, respectively with combination index (CI) 

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PMID: 

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2019 Jul ;32(4(Supplementary)):1813-1819. PMID: 31680077

Abstract Title: 

The Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare incorporated diet shows anxiolytic potential: A pre-clinical study.

Abstract: 

This novel study was conducted with objective to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of whole-crushed seeds of Foeniculum vulgare (FV) which were incorporated in diet. Albino mice were divided in three groups: Control-group, Study-group 2% FV and Study-group 4% FV, each having 10 mice. Special dietary pellets containing whole-crushed Foeniculum vulgare seeds were prepared in 2% and 4% ratio, respectively and were fed to respective Study groups whereas Control-group was given regular rodent diet for 2 months. Animal behaviour was assessed using Home Cage Activity test, Head Dip test, Light and Dark Box test and Open Field test at intervals of 15 days for a period of 2 months. The results of this study showed, decrease in Cage Crossing activity, more number of Head Dips, increased time spent in Light box and increase in number of transitions between Light and Dark Box, increased number of Central Squares Crossed and increased time spent in Central Squares of Open Field arena for both study groups in comparison with control group. Foeniculum vulgare whole-crushed seeds diet of 2% and 4% was found to have anxiolytic effect.

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PMID: 

Food Sci Nutr. 2019 Feb ;7(2):425-432. Epub 2019 Jan 28. PMID: 30847119

Abstract Title: 

Heat stability of the in vitro inhibitory effect of spices on lipase, amylase, and glucosidase enzymes.

Abstract: 

This study investigated the effect of boiling on the inhibitory action of spices on digestive enzymes. Unboiled extracts of(seed) (25.42%),(seed) (22.70%), and(seed) (19.17%) showed significantly (

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PMID: 

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 ;2019:2761041. Epub 2019 May 2. PMID: 31191797

Abstract Title: 

and Its Active Principle Scopoletin Mitigate Protein Aggregation and Neuronal Apoptosis through Augmenting the DJ-1/Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway.

Abstract: 

Given the role of oxidative stress in PD pathogenesis and off-target side effects of currently available drugs, several natural phytochemicals seem to be promising in the management of PD. Here, we tested the hypothesis that scopoletin, an active principle obtained from(MC), efficiently quenches oxidative stress through DJ-1/Nrf2 signaling and ameliorates rotenone-induced PD. Despite reducing oxidative stress, the administration of MC extract (MCE) has lessened protein aggregation as evident from decreased levels of nitrotyrosine and-synuclein.studies revealed that scopoletin lessened rotenone-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells through preventing oxidative injury. Particularly, scopoletin markedly upregulated DJ-1, which then promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and transactivation of antioxidant genes. Furthermore, we found that scopoletin prevents the nuclear exportation of Nrf2 by reducing the levels of Keap1 and thereby enhancing the neuronal defense system. Overall, our findings suggest that scopoletin acts through DJ-1-mediated Nrf2 signaling to protect the brain from rotenone-induced oxidative stress and PD. Thus, we postulate that scopoletin could be a potential drug to treat PD.

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PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Oct 12 ;248:112303. Epub 2019 Oct 12. PMID: 31614204

Abstract Title: 

Polysaccharides derived from Morinda citrifolia Linn reduce inflammatory markers during experimental colitis.

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: There are many reports of pharmacological activities of extracts and fractions of different vegetable-derived products in the scientific literature and in folk medicine. Ethnopharmacological use of these products by various communities continues to be extensively explored, and they account for more than half of all medications used worldwide. Polysaccharides (PLS) extracted from plants such as Morinda Citrifolia Linn present therapeutic potential in treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis (UC).AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of Noni-PLS against the intestinal damage in UC induced by acetic acid in mice.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In acetic acid-induced colitis, the mice were treated intraperitoneally (ip) with Noni-PLS (0.1, 0.3, and 3.0 mg/kg) or subcutaneously (sc) with dexamethasone (2.0 mg/kg) 30 min before euthanasia to determine the best dose of Noni-PLS with an anti-inflammatory effect in the course of UC. The colonic tissue samples were collected for macroscopic, wet weight, microscopic and biochemical (myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrate/nitrite (NO/NO), cytokines, cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS)) analyses.RESULTS: Treatment with Noni-PLS reduced the intestinal damage induced by acetic acid as it reduced macroscopic and microscopic scores and the wet weight of the colon. In addition, MPO activity and levels of GSH, MDA, NO/NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and COX-2 expression reduced.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Noni-PLS exhibits anti-inflammatory action against intestinal damage by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory action of cytokines, COX-2 and iNOS expression in the inflamed colon. Noni-PLS shows therapeutic potential against inflammatory disorders like UC.

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