PMID: 

Food Funct. 2019 Nov 13. Epub 2019 Nov 13. PMID: 31720661

Abstract Title: 

Pomegranate peel polyphenols reduce chronic low-grade inflammatory responses by modulating gut microbiota and decreasing colonic tissue damage in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Abstract: 

Recent studies have found that a high-fat diet (HFD) causes gut microbiota imbalance and colon tissue damage, resulting in increased intestinal permeability, which is one of the main reasons for the existence of constantly circulating low-grade inflammatory cytokines. Pomegranate extracts have been shown to protect from HFD-induced metabolic inflammation (e.g., colitis) and to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in in vitro stool cultures. However, whether the beneficial effects of pomegranate extracts on the HFD-induced metabolic inflammation are achieved by acting on intestinal tissues has not yet been studied. In our present study, we found that pomegranate peel polyphenols (PPPs) alleviated HFD-induced obesity, elevated circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, colonic tissue damage, and depressed colonic tight junction protein expression level in rats. Moreover, PPPs normalized the HFD-induced gut microbiota imbalance by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the colon. Furthermore, we also found that PPPs, punicalagin, and urolithin A (the main microbiota metabolites of pomegranate ellagitannins) all increased the LPS-induced decreased tight junction protein expression level and reversed the LPS-induced inflammatory response in Caco-2 cells. Urolithin A exhibited the best effects among the three pomegranate components. Our results suggested that the protective effects of PPPs in HFD-induced metabolic inflammation can be due to the recovery of colonic tissue damage and the regulation of gut microbiota and that urolithin A is the major component that contributes to the in vivo effects of PPPs.

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PMID: 

J Med Food. 2019 Nov 12. Epub 2019 Nov 12. PMID: 31718395

Abstract Title: 

Punicalagin Reversed the Hepatic Injury of Tetrachloromethane by Antioxidation and Enhancement of Autophagy.

Abstract: 

Hepatic injury is significant in the pathogenesis and development of many types of liver diseases. Punicalagin (PU) is a bioactive antioxidant polyphenol found in pomegranates. To explore its protective effect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver injury and the mechanism, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice and L02 cells were used to observe the changes of serum biochemical indicators, histopathological liver structure, cell viability, antioxidative indices, and autophagy-related proteins were assessed. In ICR mice, PU ameliorated the CCl-induced increase of the serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, the activity of liver lactate dehydrogenase, and the damage of histopathological structure, and exhibited a hepatoprotective effect against CCl. PU attenuated oxidative stress by decreasing the liver malondialdehyde level and increasing the activities of liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and the expression of the liver nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2) protein. Furthermore, according to the vivo and vitro experiments, PU might activate autophagy through the mediation of the Akt/FOXO3a and P62/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that PU may protect against CCl-induced liver injury through the upregulation of antioxidative activities and autophagy.

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PMID: 

Plants (Basel). 2019 Nov 9 ;8(11). Epub 2019 Nov 9. PMID: 31717611

Abstract Title: 

Polyphenol Profile and Pharmaceutical Potential of Quercus spp. Bark Extracts.

Abstract: 

Targeted profiling of polyphenols in trees may reveal valuable sources of natural compounds with major applications in pharmacology and disease control. The current study targeted the profiling of polyphenols using HPLC-DAD in,andbark extracts. Free radical scavenging of each extract was investigated using antioxidant assays. Antimicrobial activities against a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi were explored, as well as anticancer activities against different cancer cell lines. The HPLC-DAD analyses revealed the availability of several polyphenols in high amounts, including ellagic acid (in) and caffeic acid (in) in all three species. The bioactivity assay revealed high antioxidant activity incompared to that of the other species, as well as phenolic standards. The three oak bark extracts showed clear antibacterial activities against most bacteria tested, with the highest antibacterial activities in the extracts of. In addition, the three extracts showed higher antibacterial activities againstandcompared to that of other bacteria. There were strong antifungal activities against some fungi, such as,and. There were also noticeable anticancer activities against MCF-7, HeLa, Jurkat, and HT-29 cell lines, with the highest anticancer activity in the extracts of. This is the first study that reveals not only novel sources of important polyphenols (e.g. ellagic acid) in,andbark but also their anticancer activities against diverse cancer cell lines.

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2019 Nov 11. Epub 2019 Nov 11. PMID: 31713941

Abstract Title: 

The effects of grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera) supplement on inflammatory markers, neuropeptide Y, anthropometric measures, and appetite in obese or overweight individuals: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Grape seed extract (GSE) is a natural supplement known for its various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effect. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GSE supplementation on inflammatory markers, neuropeptide Y, anthropometric measurements, and appetite in obese or overweight individuals.METHODS AND MATERIALS: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed on 40 obese or overweight subjects who were randomly assigned to receive GSE (300 mg/day) or placebo for a period of 12-weeks. Both groups were under a restricted calorie diet (RCD)(~250 kcal lower than the estimated energy requirement). Anthropometric measurements, biochemical biomarkers and dietary intakes were determined during the study period.RESULTS: The reductions of body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio were significantly higher in the GSE group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.045, 0.033, 0.029, and 0.021, respectively). Lower levels of neuropeptide Y, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were observed in the GSE group in comparison with the placebo group (P = 0.041, 0.001, and 0.034, respectively).CONCLUSION: GSE supplement with a RCD has favorable effects in reducing anthropometric measurements and inflammatory markers in obese or overweight individuals, and may play an effective role in the treatment of obesity.

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PMID: 

Adv Nutr. 2019 Aug 26. Epub 2019 Aug 26. PMID: 31504082

Abstract Title: 

Dried Fruit Intake and Cancer: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.

Abstract: 

Insufficient intake of total fruits and vegetables is linked to an increased cancer risk, but the relation is not understood for dried fruits. Dried fruits are generally perceived, by both consumers and researchers, as a less attractive but shelf-stable equivalent to fresh fruits and constitute a small but significant proportion of modern diets. Chemical compositions of raw and dried fruits, however, may differ substantially. Several clinical and laboratory intervention studies have reported the protective effects of dehydrated fruits against the progression of some cancers and the modulating effects of dried fruits on common cancer risk factors. In this systematic review, we identified, summarized, and critically evaluated 9 prospective cohort and 7 case-control studies that examined the relations between traditional dried fruit (raisins, prunes, dates) consumption and cancer risk in humans. Prospective cohort studies determined that significant reductions in relative risk of precancerous colorectal polyps, incidence of prostate cancer, or mortality from pancreatic cancer, by, respectively, 24%, 49%, and 65%, were associated with 3-5 or more servings of dried fruits per week. Selected case-control studies revealed inverse associations between dried fruit intake and risk of cancer as well. The reported associations were comparable to or stronger than those observed for total or raw fruits. Although the small number and high heterogeneity impede meta-analysis of these studies, we conclude that currently available data provide some initial evidence that consumption of dried fruits may be associated with a lower cancer incidence or mortality in populations. The data suggest that higher intake of raisins and other dried fruits may be important in the prevention of cancers of the digestive system. Because only a limited number of health outcome and dried fruit intake relations have been evaluated in prospective studies to date, reanalyzing existing high-quality epidemiological data may expand the knowledge base.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Nov 7 ;121:109594. Epub 2019 Nov 7. PMID: 31707344

Abstract Title: 

Protective and anticancer effects of orange peel extract and naringin in doxorubicin treated esophageal cancer stem cell xenograft tumor mouse model.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: chemotherapy drugs are the common therapy for cancer cells with side effects. Recent studies reported that natural products may contribute to decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of orange peel extract (OPE) and its main compound; naringin (NR) to protect the side effects of doxorubicin (Dox) in esophageal cancer stem cells (CSCs) derived tumors in vivo.METHODS: for this purpose, Esophageal cancer cell (YM1) derived spheres were treated in vitro with OPE, NR, Dox, Dox in combination with OPE or NR. The cell viability was assessed by XTT and the apoptosis was measured using Annexin/7-AAD and the cell cycle was also quantified by using PI staining method. The pluripotency related genes expression was carried out using qRT-PCR The protective effects of OPE and NR were evaluated by body weight evaluation and oxidative stress factors: malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) measurement in xenograft mice tumor model injected with Dox.RESULTS: ESCC CSCs overexpress SOXand OCT4 pluripotency genes. OPE or NR can protect the cellular toxicity of Dox in vitro mainly by decreasing cellular apoptosis of ESCC CSCs however S-phase cell cycle arrest has not been affected significantly. In vivo experiments revealed that the use of Dox simultaneously with OPE or NR not only can reduce the tumor size but also the body weight of the treated nude mice were maintained in comparison to Dox alone. In contrast to Dox alone, Dox in combination with OPE or NR showed less systemic toxicity and decreased oxidative stress fraction circulation, however, OPE seemed as more protective.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that these natural compounds can be used as adjuvant therapy to lower systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents like DOX in ESCC cancer stem cells treatment.

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PMID: 

Science. 2019 09 13 ;365(6458):1177-1180. Epub 2019 Sep 12. PMID: 31515394

Abstract Title: 

A neonicotinoid insecticide reduces fueling and delays migration in songbirds.

Abstract: 

Neonicotinoids are neurotoxic insecticides widely used as seed treatments, but little is known of their effects on migrating birds that forage in agricultural areas. We tracked the migratory movements of imidacloprid-exposed songbirds at a landscape scale using a combination of experimental dosing and automated radio telemetry. Ingestion of field-realistic quantities of imidacloprid (1.2 or 3.9 milligrams per kilogram body mass) by white-crowned sparrows () during migratory stopover caused a rapid reduction in food consumption, mass, and fat and significantly affected their probability of departure. Birds in the high-dose treatment stayed a median of 3.5 days longer at the site of capture after exposure as compared with controls, likely to regain fuel stores or recover from intoxication. Migration delays can carry over to affect survival and reproduction; thus, these results confirm a link between sublethal pesticide exposure and adverse outcomes for migratory bird populations.

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PMID: 

Sci Rep. 2017 11 9 ;7(1):15176. Epub 2017 Nov 9. PMID: 29123163

Abstract Title: 

Imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos insecticides impair migratory ability in a seed-eating songbird.

Abstract: 

Birds that travel long distances between their wintering and breeding grounds may be particularly susceptible to neurotoxic insecticides, but the influence of insecticides on migration ability is poorly understood. Following acute exposure to two widely used agricultural insecticides, imidacloprid (neonicotinoid) and chlorpyrifos (organophosphate), we compared effects on body mass, migratory activity and orientation in a seed-eating bird, the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys). During spring migration, sparrows were captured, held and dosed by gavage daily for 3 days with either the vehicle control, low (10% LD50) or high (25% LD50) doses of imidacloprid or chlorpyrifos and tested in migratory orientation trials pre-exposure, post-exposure and during recovery. Control birds maintained body mass and a seasonally appropriate northward orientation throughout the experiment. Imidacloprid dosed birds exhibited significant declines in fat stores and body mass (mean loss: -17% low, -25% high dose) and failed to orient correctly. Chlorpyrifos had no overt effects on mass but significantly impaired orientation. These results suggest that wild songbirds consuming the equivalent of just four imidacloprid-treated canola seeds or eight chlorpyrifos granules per day over 3 days could suffer impaired condition, migration delays and improper migratory direction, which could lead to increased risk of mortality or lost breeding opportunity.

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PMID: 

Environ Res. 2019 Oct ;177:108589. Epub 2019 Jul 16. PMID: 31330492

Abstract Title: 

A sublethal dose of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid reduces sperm density in a songbird.

Abstract: 

Farmland bird species are particularly exposed to pesticides through various pathways. Among pesticides, neonicotinoids insecticides are commonly used in agriculture, but their influence on bird reproductive capacities is poorly understood. In this study, we experimentally tested the effects of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid on House sparrows' sperm quality and oxidative status following ingestion of a low and field-realistic dose of the compound. To do so, 56 males were captured, held and orally dosed seven times over 19 days of experiment with either a saline solution (control) or an acetamiprid-saline solution, and sperm samples were retrieved before and after the experiment. The overall dose given to the birds corresponded to 0.5% of the LDfor the Zebra finch (5.7 mg/kg BW) spread into 7 separate doses and administered every three days over the entire duration of the study (ca. 0.07% LDper oral dose). Sperm mobility and sperm oxidative status were unaffected by the treatment, but sperm density was. Birds that received oral doses of acetamiprid suffered a significant decline in their sperm density compared to control birds. This result was confirmed by a significant decrease in the activity of the antioxidant enzyme SOD in the sperm of acetamiprid-dosed birds. These results provide the first evidence of sublethal toxicity of acetamiprid in a songbird and suggest that passerine birds' fertility may be negatively affected by very small doses of neonicotinoids in the wild.

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PMID: 

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2019 Nov 15 ;383:114777. Epub 2019 Oct 15. PMID: 31626844

Abstract Title: 

Growth and neurite stimulating effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Abstract: 

Neonicotinoids are one of most widely used pesticides targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) of insects. Recent epidemiological evidence revealed increasing amounts of neonicotinoids detected in human samples, raising the critical question of whether neonicotinoids affect human health. We investigated the effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin (CTD) on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells as in vitro models of human neuronal cells. Cellular and functional effects of micromolar doses of CTD were evaluated by changes in cell growth, intracellular signaling activities and gene expression profiles. We examined further the effects of CTD on neuronal differentiation by measuring neurite outgrowth. Exposure to CTD (1-100 μM) significantly increased the number of cells within 24 h of culture. The nAChRs antagonists, mecamylamine and SR16584, inhibited this effect, suggesting human α3β4 nAChRs could be targets of neonicotinoids. We observed a transient intracellular calcium influx and increased phosphorylationof extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 shortly after exposure to CTD. Transcriptome analysis revealed that CTD down-regulated genes involved in neuronal function (e.g., formation of filopodia and calcium ion influx) and morphology (e.g., axon guidance signaling and cytoskeleton signaling); these changes were reflected by a finding of increased neurite length during neuronal differentiation. These findings provide novel insight into the potential risks of neonicotinoids to the human nervous system.

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