Research - Antioxidants
Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation Containing Phytonutrients Scavenges Reactive Oxygen Species in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Seunghee Kang 1,Yeni Lim 1,You Jin Kim 1,Eun Sung Jung 2,Dong Ho Suh 3,Choong Hwan Lee 3,Eunmi Park 4,Jina Hong 5,Rodney A. Velliquette 5,Oran Kwon 1,* andJi Yeon Kim
Abstract
Phytonutrients and vitamin and mineral supplementation have been reported to provide increased antioxidant capacity in humans; however, there is still controversy. In the current clinical trial, we examined the antioxidant and DNA protection capacity of a plant-based, multi-vitamin/mineral, and phytonutrient (PMP) supplementation in healthy adults who were habitually low in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. This study was an eight-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, and placebo-controlled trial. PMP supplementation for eight weeks reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevented DNA damage without altering endogenous antioxidant system. Plasma vitamins and phytonutrients were significantly correlated with ROS scavenging and DNA damage. In addition, gene expression analysis in PBMC showed subtle changes in superoxide metabolic processes. In this study, we showed that supplementation with a PMP significantly improved ROS scavenging activity and prevented DNA damage. However, additional research is still needed to further identify mechanisms of actions and the role of circulating phytonutrient metabolites.
Source Journal Nutrients
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Chemical composition and antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory potential of Achillea millefolium L., Anethum graveolens L., and Carum copticum L. essential oils Abstract
Achillea millefolium L., Anethum graveolens L., and Carum copticum L. comprise several relevant species that may be used for the food, cosmetic, perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed thymol to be a major component of A. millefolium, A. graveolens and C. copticum, with its contribution to the essential oils (EOs) being 26.47%, 20.07% and 23.14%, respectively. All three EOs exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against all tested bacterial strains, the A. millefolium oil being the most potent. In addition, A. millefolium EO had the highest antioxidant activity in all conducted assays. The A. millefolium EO had significantly greater radical scavenging activity than C. copticum EO and the reference antioxidant Trolox (IC50 values of 22.11, 26.5 and 28.32 mg/ml, respectively). In addition, a correlation between antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content was found. The A. millefolium EO significantly inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages (an in vitro model of inflammation). These results clearly show the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the plant EOs.
Source : Sci-Hub.tw
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Antimicrobial and antioxidant efficacy of Citrus limon L. peel extracts used for skin diseases by Xhosa tribe of Amathole District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
W.M. Otang, A.J. Afolayan
Abstract
Skin diseases such as dermatitis, prurigo, and scabies present a major health concern in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, where there is a scarcity of dermatologists, compounded by the fact that most dermatologists are centered near urban areas and are not accessible to 70% of the rural population. Hence, many people still depend to a large extent on traditional herbs such as Citrus limon for the treatment of skin diseases. The aim of this study was therefore to screen the acetone and ethanol extracts of C. limon for its antioxidant potential and antimicrobial efficacy agents against a panel of microbes implicated in skin diseases. The highest antibacterial activity was obtained with the acetone extract of C. limon against Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis, and the most susceptible bacteria based on the overall mean inhibition diameters were the gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella sonnei and the gram-positive E. faecalis and B. subtilis. Both extracts were active against Candida glabrata. The DPPH scavenging activity of the acetone extract was not significantly different from those of vitamin C and rutin. Nitric oxide scavenging activity was lowest in the ethanol extract of C. limon. The reducing ability of both plant extracts was significantly lower than that of vitamin C and rutin. The fact that both extracts of C. limon exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and comparable efficacy to the synthetic antioxidants highlights the medicinal value of C. limon as a potential source for drug development amidst the obvious dearth of effective and safe antibacterial drugs, and also validates the ethnotherapeutic claim of the plant.
Source : South African Journal of Botany
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In-vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of Dianthus basuticus Burtt Davy whole plant extracts
Abstract
Dianthus basuticus is a popular South African medicinal plant used in the management of diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of D. basuticus using an in-vitro model. The antioxidant activity was determined using iron chelation, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl and superoxide anion radical scavenging abilities of the aqueous, ethanol and hydro-ethanol extracts of D. basuticuswhile the antidiabetic potential was assessed by evaluating the inhibitory effects of the extracts on the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, maltase and sucrase. The aqueous extract displayed significantly higher (p < 0.05) DPPH (2.56 μg/mL) and superoxide radical (7.22 μg/mL) scavenging abilities while ethanol (10.56 μg/mL) and hydro-ethanol (6.95 μg/mL) extracts exhibited strongest hydroxyl radical scavenging and iron chelation activities respectively. The ethanol extract displayed significantly higher (p < 0.05) inhibition of α-amylase (34.02 μg/mL) while aqueous extract exhibited strongest inhibition of α-glucosidase (6.59 μg/mL), maltase (31.21 μg/mL) and sucrase (20.98 μg/mL). Hydro-ethanol and aqueous extract inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase in a mixed non-competitive and pure non-competitive manner respectively while the aqueous extract competitively inhibited both maltase and sucrase activities. It can be concluded that D. basuticus extracts possessed antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, and one of its mechanism of antidiabetic action is through the inhibition of diabetes-related enzymes.
Source : Journal of Herbal Medicine
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Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of three species of tropical seaweeds
Yin Yin Chia1, M S Kanthimathi12*, Kong Soo Khoo3, Jayakumar Rajarajeswaran1, Hwee Ming Cheng4 and Wai Sum Yap5
Abstract
Background
Three species of seaweeds (Padina tetrastromatica, Caulerpa racemosa and Turbinaria ornata) are widely consumed by Asians as nutraceutical food due to their antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that these seaweeds exhibit bioactivities which include antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-hypertensive and anticoagulant activities. However, investigations into the mechanisms of action pertaining to the cytotoxic activity of the seaweeds are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of whole extracts of P. tetrastromatica, C. racemosa and T. ornata, including the cellular events leading to the apoptotic cell death of the extract treated-MCF-7 cells. Bioassay guided fractionation was carried out and the compounds identified.
Methods
Powdered samples were sequentially extracted for 24 h. Their antioxidant activities were assessed by the DPPH radical, superoxide, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. The cytotoxic activity of the extract-treated MCF-7cells was assessed using the MTT assay. The most potent fraction was subjected to bioassay guided fractionation with column chromatography. All the fractions were tested for cytotoxic activity, caspase activity and effect on DNA fragmentation.
Results
All three seaweeds showed potent radical scavenging activities in the various assays. The activity of the cellular antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase, in MCF-7 cells, decreased in a time-dependent manner. The partially purified fractions exhibited higher cytotoxic activity, as assessed by the MTT assay, than the whole extracts in the breast adenocarcinoma cell line, MCF-7. LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of bioactive alkaloids such as camptothecin, lycodine and pesudopelletierine.
Conclusion
Based on the results obtained, all three seaweeds are rich sources of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants which could contribute to their reported medicinal benefits.
Source : BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Chemoprotective Properties of Acacia catechu Heartwood Extracts
Abstract
Aqueous extracts of Acacia catechu heartwood are rich source of catechin and epicatechin (gallic acid derivatives), with smaller amounts of flavonoids. Extracts have also been prepared with ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methanol, and the properties of these extracts have been studied and are reviewed. Potent antioxidant activity has been well established in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This antioxidant activity is believed to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory, tissue protectant, antineoplastic, and analgesic activities that have been demonstrated and clearly established in animal and cell culture systems. Furthermore, antihyperglycemic, antidiarrheal, antinociceptive, and antipyretic activities have been demonstrated in animal studies. No adverse effects have been observed in animal or human studies or in cell culture systems. In spite of the fact that Acacia products have been used for many years and the general safety of catechins and epicatechins is well documented, few human studies have ever been conducted on the efficacy or safety of A. catechu heartwood extracts. Several studies have shown that a two-ingredient combination product containing A. catechu extract exhibited no adverse effects when administered daily for up to 12 weeks while exhibiting significant anti-inflammatory activity in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee. There is a need for additional human clinical studies with regard to efficacy and safety.
Source : Phytotherapy Research
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Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids in Cranberry Juice Are Bioavailable and Increase Antioxidant Activity in Older, Healthy Subjects
McKay DL, Chen CY, Zampariello CA, Blumberg JB.
Flavonoids and phenolic acids from cranberry juice are bioavailable and bioactive in healthy older adults. Food Chem. February 1, 2015;168:233-240.
Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon), which are rich in phenolic phytochemicals, have been associated with antibacterial, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antiangiogenic, and antioxidant activities. Phenolic compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can modulate enzyme activity and gene expression. However, most of the evidence supporting these activities was determined from in vitro studies and animal models. Furthermore, more research is needed to understand the bioavailability and metabolism of cranberry phenolics in humans. The authors have expanded on their earlier study which examined the pharmacokinetics of cranberry anthocyanins which showed most anthocyanins appeared in plasma within 1 to 2 hours after consumption.1 In the study reported here, the authors conducted a single-dose pharmacokinetic trial to examine the bioavailability and bioactivity of a broader array of phenolics from cranberry juice.
The study evaluated the acute (24-hour) bioavailability of flavonoids and phenolic acids from a single dose (237 mL) of a double-strength (54% juice), low-calorie, low-sugar cranberry juice cocktail (CJC) (Ocean Spray; Lakeville-Middleboro, Massachusetts). The principal phenolics in the beverage were the anthocyanins peonidin-3-galactoside and -arabinoside, the anthocyanins cyanidin-3-arabinoside and -galactoside, and the flavonols hyperoside and quercetin. Total phenolic content of the single dose of CJC was 188.5 mg.
The study involved 10 healthy, nonsmoking men and postmenopausal women aged 50 to 70 years. The subjects were asked to consume foods low in phenolics for 48 hours before the trial. The day before the trial, the subjects were fed the same meal low in phenols and refrained from food and beverages except for water for the next 12 hours to provide baseline values.
After administration of CJC, blood samples were collected periodically for 10 hours and at 24 hours. Blood samples were assessed for phenolic acids, flavonoids, and total antioxidant capacity: oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total antioxidant performance (TAP). Susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to Cu2+-induced lipid oxidation (LDL oxidation) was also measured.
The authors found the concentration of total phenolics detected in plasma reached a peak of 34.2 µg/mL between 8 and 10 hours after CJC consumption; in urine, the peak was 269.8 µg/mg creatinine, occurring 2 to 4 hours earlier. In plasma, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, and vanillic acid were the most predominant contributors to this total. In urine, protocatechuic acid and 4-OH-phenylacetic acid were the most predominant. Anthocyanins were detected in the urine samples of all subjects at widely varying concentrations. The predominant anthocyanin detected in both plasma and urine was peonidin-3-galactoside.
The authors "provide here the first observation that PAC-A2 [proanthocyanidin-A2] can be quantified in the urine of healthy volunteers following an acute dose of CJC." This finding suggests that PAC-A2 in urine could be a biomarker of cranberry intake and compliance since it does not occur in other plant foods.
Among the 3 assays measuring antioxidant capacity, the mean TAP values increased the most after CJC consumption. Correlations were observed between ORAC and protocatechuic acid (P=0.00), quercetin (P=0.00), epicatechin (P=0.001), 4-OH-3-methoxy-phenylacetic acid (P=0.018), gentisic acid (P=0.045), and 3,4-OH-phenylacetic acid (P=0.03), and between TAP and gentisic acid (P=0.01) and protocatechuic acid (P=0.036). No correlations were observed between FRAP and plasma phenolics. According to the authors, "This is the first study to correlate changes in individual cranberry metabolites, e.g., protocatechuic acid, with an array of measures of antioxidant capacity over time."
Consistent with earlier studies, the authors detected cranberry anthocyanins in plasma and urine and a marked inter-individual variation in anthocyanin pharmacokinetics. "The considerable inter-individual variability in the pharmacokinetics of these phytochemicals appears likely due to individual differences in phase II enzyme polymorphisms as well as composition of gastrointestinal microbiota," the authors write.
"In conclusion, we have demonstrated that phenolic acids and flavonoids, in CJC, are bioavailable and increase antioxidant capacity in healthy older adults. We also found that PAC-A2 is detectable in plasma and quantifiable in urine after an acute dose of cranberry juice," the authors state.
―Shari Henson
Source : American Botanical council
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Free radical scavenging activity and DNA damage protective effect of melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.)
Tri Agus Siswoyo1*, Madios Aldino1 and Keizo Hoshokawa2
1Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember, Kalimantan III/23, Jember 65121, Indonesia.
2Department of Nutritional Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hyogo, Kakogawa 675-0195, Japan.
Abstract
Extracts from various parts (seeds, leaves and seed peels) of melinjo (Gnetum gnemon) were examined for phenolic contents, free radical scavenging capacity and DNA damage protecting activity. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were evaluated according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure, and a colorimetric method, respectively. The results showed that the total phenol varied from 5.97 and 9.91 mg GAE/g extract. Flavonoid contents were between 0.85 and 3.14 mg QE/g extract. The antioxidant or free radical scavenging activities of their sample extracts were investigated by employing in vitro assay systems including the inhibition of linoleic acid autoxidation, scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), reducing power, and protections against hydroxyl radical-mediated DNA damages. The result showed that seed extracts exhibited highest antioxidant activities effect against free radicals such as DPPH and ABTS anion and showed activities similar to those of vitamin C and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in a linoleic acid emulsion assay system. Furthermore, the radical scavenging activity of melinjo tissue was in the order of seeds > leaves > seed peels. Moreover, all samples also exhibited notable reducing power and protected hydroxyl radical induced oxidative DNA damage. The greater amount of phenolic compounds leads to more potent radical scavenging effect as shown by extract from different tissues of melinjo.
Source : Journal of Medicinal Plant Research
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Phytochemical composition, antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Matricaria chamomilla L. essential oils
Enas M. Ali
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt.
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to investigate the antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Matricaria chamomilla L. essential oils and their phytochemical composition. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and their phytochemical composition was determined throughout gas chromatography-mas spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Both essential oils and their mixture showed broad antifungal spectrum against Aspergillus flavus, an important food contaminating fungus. The essential oils of G. glabra and M. chamomilla completely inhibited aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production at 800 ppm. Both oils exhibited antioxidant activity as DPPH free radical scavenger in dose dependent manner. Percentage of radical scavenging activity of G. glabra and M. chamomilla oils at 400 μg/ml were calculated to be 85.2 and 91.7%, respectively as compared to standard (BHT) with 75.6% activity at the same concentration. The anticancer properties of essential oils against cells (MCF-7) were evaluated. In anticancer activity exposure of essential oils caused a significant decrease in cell viability in MCF-7 cell line (breast carcinoma). Exposure of MCF-7 cells with G. glabra essential oils resulted in dose dependent increase in cell growth inhibition (CGI) varying from 3 to 77% at concentration ranging from 10 to 640 μg/ml. Similarly, 7 to 89% CGI was obtained when M. chamomilla essential oils was used. The present study demonstrated that essential oils of G. glabra and M. chamomilla have potent antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer with the presence of effective phytochemicals.
Source : Journal of Medicinal Plant Research
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Antibacterial, antioxidant and phytochemical investigation of Thuja orientalis leaves
Nakuleshwar Dut Jasuja1*, Suresh K. Sharma2, Richa Saxena1, Jyoti Choudhary1, Ramavtar Sharma2 and Suresh C. Joshi3
1Department of Biotechnology and Allied Sciences, Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jharna, Jaipur -303007, Rajasthan, India.
2Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
3Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Abstract
In the present study, leaves of Thuja orientalis were powdered and extracted by soxhlet extractor in two solvent systems that is, (E1) ethyl acetate: chloroform: ethanol (40: 30: 30) and (E2) methanol: distilled water (70:30). This study conferred the screening of phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of crude E1 and E2 extract and its fractions. Antioxidant activity was carried out by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The results indicate that E2 extract (70% methanolic extract) had the highest antioxidant effect (85.25% inhibition) at 100 µg/ml concentration and the crude extracts (E1 and E2 extract) showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) inhibitory activity against both gram positive and gram negative organisms. It was active against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Agrobacterium tumefaiens. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of E1 extract ranged from 0.40 to 0.85 mg/ml and E2 extract 0.55 to 1.15 mg/ml. The highest antibacterial potentiality was exhibited by E2 extract. The fractions also exhibited antimicrobial activity against all the selected microorganisms. The study revealed that T. orientalis is a promising phytomedicine for antioxidant and antibacterial activity.
Source : Journal of Medicinal Plant Research
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Antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal activities and phytochemical analysis of dagger (Yucca aloifolia) leaves extracts
Sobia1, Muhammad Zubair1*, Nasir Rasool1, Asim Mansha1, Fozia Anjum1, Munawar Iqbal2, Muhammad Mushtaq2 and Muhammad Shahid1
1Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad-38000, Pakistan.
2Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.
Abstract
The leaves of Yucca aloifolia were extracted using methanol; fractions with organic solvents were analyzed for their biological activities and photochemical analysis. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using different colorimeteric assays. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by measuring reducing power, % inhibition of linoleic acid peroxide, and scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical while antimicrobial and antifungal activities were evaluated by disc diffusion assay against a set of bacterial and fungal strains. Methanolic extract showed the superior yield of bioactive (%), total phenolics and total flavonoids, and phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, steroids, saponins and flavonoids. The Y. aloifolia leaves extract showed considerable antioxidant activity but were solvent-dependent. In biological assay, the extracts showed the antimicrobial activity comparable with standard antibiotics
Source : Journal of Medicinal Plant Research
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Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of selected medicinal plants and fungi containing phenolic and flavonoid compounds
Patricia Diaz1, Sang Chul Jeong2, Samiuela Lee1, Cheang Khoo1 and Sundar Rao Koyyalamudi1,2*
1. Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia
2 School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia
Abstract
Background This study aims to determine the relationship between the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the thirteen herbs and two fungi extracts, and their total phenolic and flavonoid contents.
Methods Antioxidant activities were evaluated by four assays: an antioxidant activity assay using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a DPPH ((2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay to assess free radical scavenging, an assay assessing ferrous ions or iron (II) chelating ability, and a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activities were determined by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide and TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-γ-activated J774A.1 macrophages. Their cytotoxicities against macrophages were determined by MTT assay.
Results A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activities and the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the plant extracts was found. The plant extracts with high phenolic and flavonoid content also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity with good cell viability.
Conclusion The selected herbs could be a rich source of antioxidants and free radical scavenging compounds. The levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds were correlated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts from the herbs.
Source : Chinese Medicine Journal
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The effect of concentration on the antioxidant activity of selected culinary herbs
Lenka Kouřimská1*, Diana Chrpová2, Pavel Nový1 and Jan Pánek2
1Department of Quality of Agricultural Products, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
2Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Praha, Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract
Antioxidant activity of selected widely used culinary herbs (oregano, Greek oregano, marjoram, summer savory, rosemary and two varieties of leafy parsley) was monitored to see the effect of increasing herb content on the inhibition of pork lard oxidation. The activity of tested dry herbs was significant (protection factors were from 1.7 to 11.4) and linearly increased at all range of concentrations from 10 to 100 g/kg. No prooxidant effect occurred under the Schaal test conditions. The antioxidant activity of plants decreased in the following order: marjoram > Greek oregano > flat parsley > rosemary > summer savory > curly parsley > oregano, which did not correspond clearly with their total phenolics content.
Source : The Journal of Medicinal Plant Research
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Dietary Antioxidants: From Micronutrients and Phytochemicals to Enzymes – Preventive Effects on Early Atherosclerosis and Obesity
Sylvie Gaillet1, Dominique Lacan2 and Jean-Max Rouanet1
1UMR 204 NUTRIPASS, Université Montpellier
2, Montpellier, 2BIONOV S.A.R.L., Montpellier, France
Introduction
Development of atherosclerosis is thought to be closely dependent upon increased oxidative stress, that is, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS). Elsewhere, high-fat diets and sedentary lifestyles are important risk factors for obesity, which is a key feature of metabolic syndrome and which greatly predisposes individuals to liver diseases, cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and numerous cancers and is associated with markedly diminished life expectancy. Today, due to oxidative stress, the postulated involvement of lipid peroxidation in atherogenesis and obesity invoked intensive interest in the use of antioxidant nutritional supplements. Epidemiological evidence suggests that intake of some vitamins, minerals, and other food constituents may help to protect against heart disease, obesity, cancer and the aging process and that antioxidants may have a protective effect, in either preventing these diseases or lessening the severity of the diseases upon their onset
.....Dietary antioxidants can play a key role in the regulation of the oxidant status and it seems essential to develop and utilise natural antioxidants so that they can retard the progress of many chronic diseases. The consumption of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables that generally supplies minerals, vitamins, fibers, phytochemicals such as phenolics but also provides antioxidant enzymes is therefore advised
Source
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Review and meta-analysis of usage of ginkgo as an adjunct therapy in chronic schizophrenia
Vidhi Singh1, Surendra P. Singh2 and Kelvin Chan3
1MediWare Computer Software Engineering, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK
2Mental Health Directorate, Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust and University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton,West Midlands, UK
3University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK
Abstract
This study aimed to review the roles of antioxidants in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, whether the properties of ginkgo can ameliorate symptoms of this illness, and evaluate available literature to test this assumption. This review is based upon published works on antioxidants and ginkgo. A primary electronic search for meta-analysis on the usage of ginkgo or its derived products in schizophrenia was conducted using Pubmed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and AMED. Inclusion criteria were:criteria-based diagnosis of schizophrenia, randomized case assignment, use of ginkgo as an add-on therapy, and assessment using standardized rating scales to measure the state of psychopathology for negative and total symptoms of schizophrenia. Additionally, a detailed review was undertaken to investigate if antioxidants are involved in development of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. The six studies that fulfilled the selection criteria were constituted of 466 cases on ginkgo and 362 cases on placebo.They all used the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) to measure negative symptoms,and the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) or the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) to measure total symptoms. Difference between ginkgo and control groups from their pre- and post-trials cores and its pooled standard deviation were used to compute standardized mean difference (SMD).Ginkgo as an add-on therapy to antipsychotic medication produced statistically significant moderate improvement (SMD=x0.50) in total and negative symptoms of chronic schizophrenia. Ginkgo as add-on therapy ameliorates the symptoms of chronic schizophrenia. The role of antioxidants in pathogenesis of schizophrenia has also been explored
Source : International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (2010),13, 257–271
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Eating for Eye Health Can Be Beneficial
Eating healthy can affect more than what the scale says. According to experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), it is possible to aid eye health through nutrition and supplements.Research by the National Eye Institute (NEI) has shown that high levels of antioxidants and zinc, in the form of a nutritional supplement tablet, reduced the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
“AMD is the leading cause of blindness in older adults,” said Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., professor and vice chair for clinical research in the Department of Ophthalmology. “These dietary supplements are not a cure for AMD, but they do reduce one’s risk of progressing to the most serious form of the disease.”
UAB School of Optometry Professor Leo Semes, O.D., talked about the importance of diet to eye health.
“You are what you eat; it’s trite but it’s true,” Semes said. “It’s been shown that certain habits like eating a high-fat diet are associated with, but not causative, in AMD.”
One food that has long been connected with improving vision is carrots, but Semes said carrots alone will not accomplish significant gains in eye health.
“The basis for this belief is that carrots are high in beta-carotene,” Semes said. “But beta-carotene alone is not going to be protective enough. There’s also a tangential relationship that a lack of vitamin-A, a cousin of beta-carotene, is implicated in poor darkness adaptation.”
Seeing well when moving from light to dark declines with age.
Semes serves on the American Optometric Association Health and Nutrition Committee, which developed a list of specific foods and nutrients that have been found to be beneficial to eye health.
• Fruits and vegetables – Vitamin C can help minimize cataracts and AMD
• Fleshy fish (tuna or salmon) and lean meats – Fatty acids protect against AMD
• Red meats and whole grains – Zinc deficiency can lead to cataracts
• Vegetable oil – Vitamin E can slow progression of AMD
Source : Newswise
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Human skin, aging and antioxidants
Barkat Ali Khan 1 *, Naveed Akhtar 1 , Akhtar Rasul 1 , Haroon Khan 2 , Ghulam Murtaza 3 , Atif Ali 1 ,Kamran Ahmad Khan 4 , Shahiq-uz-Zaman 1 , Adnan Jameel 1 , Khalid Waseem 1 andTariq Mahmood 1
1 Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur,Pakistan .
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan .
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan.
4 Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan .
Abstract
All health care professionals should have basic information about the structure and function of human skin inorder to be able to determine any type of change in normal skin, diagnose present skin problems and prescribe possible treatment for risk factors. Skin is also called the cutaneous membrane or the integumentry system as it has several accessory organs. In adults the skin has a surface area ranging from 1.2 to 2.2 m² and weighs about 5 kg. The skin is about 7% of the total body weight with a thickness of 0.02 ″ to 0.16 ″ range in the average adult. This review of literature covers all the aspects of human skin. Moreover, mechanisms of skin aging are discussed as well as the role of various natural and synthetic antioxidants in protecting skin are covered in this review with sagacity of understanding
Conclusion
Understanding of human skin, skin aging and anti-oxidants lead to a basic knowledge of preventing various skin disorders. Sustained disclosure to UV irradiations may contribute to photoaging. From this review we concluded that it refreshes the importance of anti-oxidants in skin aging and presents new information such as human skin and vitamins especially topical Vitamin C as antioxidant in skin aging. Moreover, mechanisms of skin aging are discussed as well as role of various natural and synthetic antioxidants in protecting skin are covered with sagacity of understanding
Source : Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 6(1), pp. 1-6, 9 January, 2012
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Antioxidant May Prevent, Even Cure, Cataracts and Other Degenerative Eye Disorders
Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology are working with an antioxidant that could prevent or cure cataracts, macular degeneration and other degenerative eye disorders. The research group, headed by Dr. Nuran Ercal, the Richard K. Vitek/Foundation for Chemical Research Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and professor of chemistry at Missouri S&T, is studying eye drops prepared with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) as a treatment for these eye conditions.
Ercal says NACA is an improvement over another experimental treatment, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), because it passes more easily across cell membranes, allowing the medication to be used in lower doses.
“NACA’s characteristics as a drug were improved over NAC by neutralizing the carboxylic group of NAC, which makes the NACA pass cellular membranes easily,” says Ercal. “And because NACA can be administered at a lower dose, the drug has a greater therapeutic index and lowers the risk of side effects traditionally associated with NAC.
“NACA is also an excellent source of glutathione, a cell’s main antioxidant power, which is diminished during degenerative eye disorders,” she adds.
Vision loss from age-related eye disorders affects more than 30 million people in the United States and is expected to double in the coming decades, Ercal says.
In addition, more than $9 billion is spent annually in the U.S. on cataract surgery alone. The total annual cost of all services related to vision problems exceeds $20 billion, she says.
“NACA eye drops could drastically reduce these costs and represent an alternative to costly surgery, while greatly improving the quality of life for those afflicted,” says Ercal.
Ercal and her team have been testing NACA on HIV-related problems, lead poisoning and other toxicities for 10 years. About four years ago they began testing it on eye disorders.
Ercal recently received a $378,000 three-year research grant from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The preliminary data submitted for the funding was based on research by her former Ph.D. student, Joshua Carey.
Carey’s dissertation involved preliminary studies of the effects of NACA to slow down cataract growth on rats that had been given L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO), a solution that causes cataracts to form. “The NACA solution prevented cataracts from forming,” says Ercal. “Our research will build on Josh’s research, to see if NACA can actually reverse the degeneration as well.”
Ercal, who is also an M.D., says further testing will help establish appropriate dosage and frequency, as well as possible side effects and other factors. She says successful results using animal subjects may eventually support the viability of human usage.
Source : Newswise
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High dietary antioxidant intake might cut pancreatic cancer risk
Increasing dietary intake of the antioxidant vitamins C, E, and selenium could help cut the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to two thirds, suggests research published online in the journal Gut.
If the association turns out to be causal, one in 12 of these cancers might be prevented, suggest the researchers, who are leading the Norfolk arm of the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) study. Cancer of the pancreas kills more than a quarter of a million people every year around the world. And 7500 people are diagnosed with the disease every year in the UK, where it is the six commonest cause of cancer death. The disease has the worst prognosis of any cancer, with just 3% of people surviving beyond five years. Genes, smoking, and type 2 diabetes are all risk factors, but diet is also thought to have a role, and may explain why rates vary so much from country to country, say the authors. The researchers tracked the health of more than 23,500 40 to 74 year olds, who had entered the Norfolk arm of the EPIC study between 1993 and 1997. Each participant filled in a comprehensive food diary, detailing the types and amount of every food they ate for 7 days, as well as the methods they used to prepare it. Each entry in the food diary was matched to one of 11,000 food items, and the nutrient values calculated using a specially designed computer programme (DINER). Forty nine people (55% men) developed pancreatic cancer within 10 years of entering the study. This increased to 86 (44% men) by 2010. On average, they survived 6 months after diagnosis. The nutrient intakes of those diagnosed with the disease within 10 years of entering EPIC were compared with those of almost 4000 healthy people to see if there were any differences. The analysis showed that a weekly intake of selenium in the top 25% of consumption roughly halved their risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared with those whose intake was in the bottom 25%. And those whose vitamins C, E, and selenium intake was in the top 25% of consumption were 67% less likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who were in the bottom 25%. If the link turns out to be causal, that would add up to the prevention of more than one in 12 (8%) of pancreatic cancers, calculate the authors. Antioxidants may neutralise the harmful by-products of metabolism and normal cell activity—free radicals—and curb genetically programmed influences, as well as stimulating the immune system response, explain the authors. Other trials using antioxidant supplements have not produced such encouraging results, but this may be because food sources of these nutrients may behave differently from those found in supplements, they say. "If a causal association is confirmed by reporting consistent findings from other epidemiological studies, then population based dietary recommendations may help to prevent pancreatic cancer," they conclude. More information: Dietary antioxidants and the aetiology of pancreatic cancer: a cohort study using data from food diaries and biomarkers, Banim PJR, Luben R, McTaggart A, et al. Gut (2012). doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301908
Source : Medical Xpress
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Antioxidant therapy for chronic hepatitis C after failure of interferon: results of phase II randomized, double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.
Abstract
AIM: To assess the safety and efficacy of antioxidant therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
METHODS: One hundred chronic HCV infection patients failed in interferon treatment were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive combined intravenous and oral antioxidants or placebo, or oral treatment alone. Primary end points were liver enzymes, HCV-RNA levels and histology.
RESULTS: Combined oral and intravenous antioxidant therapy was associated with a significant decline in ALT levels in 52% of patients who received antioxidant therapy vs 20% of patients who received placebo (P = 0.05). Histology activity index (HAI) score at the end of treatment was reduced in 48% of patients who received antioxidant therapy vs 26% of patients who received placebo (P = 0.21). HCV-RNA levels decreased by 1-log or more in 28% of patients who received antioxidant therapy vs 12% who received placebo (P = NS). In part II of the trial, oral administration of antioxidants was not associated with significant alterations in any of the end points.
CONCLUSION: Antioxidant therapy has a mild beneficial effect on the inflammatory response of chronic HCV infection patients who are non-responders to interferon. Combined antiviral and antioxidant therapy may be beneficial for these patients.
Source: World J Gastroenterol 2007 October 28; 13(40): 5317-5323
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Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection via antioxidants: results of a phase I clinical trial.
BACKGROUND:
The pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a defective host antiviral immune response and intrahepatic oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation play major roles in the fatty liver accumulation (steatosis) that leads to necro-inflammation and necrosis of hepatic cells. Previous trials suggested that antioxidative therapy may have a beneficial effect on patients with chronic HCV infection.
AIMS:
To determine the safety and efficacy of treatment of chronic HCV patients via a combination of antioxidants.
METHODS:
Fifty chronic HCV patients were treated orally on a daily basis for 20 weeks with seven antioxidative oral preparations (glycyrrhizin, schisandra, silymarin, ascorbic acid, lipoic acid, L-glutathione, and alpha-tocopherol), along with four different intravenous preparations (glycyrrhizin, ascorbic acid, L-glutathione, B-complex) twice weekly for the first 10 weeks, and followed up for an additional 20 weeks. Patients were monitored for HCV-RNA levels, liver enzymes, and liver histology. Assessment of quality of life was performed using the SF-36 questionnaire.
RESULTS:
In one of the tested parameters (eg, liver enzymes, HCV RNA levels, or liver biopsy score), a combination of antioxidants induced a favorable response in 48% of the patients (24). Normalization of liver enzymes occurred in 44% of patients who had elevated pretreatment ALT levels (15 of 34). ALT levels remained normal throughout follow-up period in 72.7% (8 of 11). A decrease in viral load (one log or more) was observed in 25% of the patients (12). Histologic improvement (2-point reduction in the HAI score) was noted in 36.1% of the patients. The SF-36 score improved in 26 of 45 patients throughout the course of the trial (58% of the patients). Treatment was well tolerated by all patients. No major adverse reactions were noted.
CONCLUSIONS:
These data suggest that multi antioxidative treatment in chronic HCV patients is well tolerated and may have a beneficial effect on necro-inflammatory variables. A combination of antiviral and antioxidative therapies may enhance the overall response rate of these patients.
Source J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005 Sep;39(8):737-42
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Antioxidant potential of bitter cumin (Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze) seeds in in vitro models
Abstract
Background
Bitter cumin (Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze), is a medicinally important plant. Earlier, we have reported phenolic compounds, antioxidant, and anti-hyperglycemic, antimicrobial activity of bitter cumin. In this study we have further characterized the antioxidative activity of bitter cumin extracts in various in vitro models.
Methods
Bitter cumin seeds were extracted with a combination of acetone, methanol and water. The antioxidant activity of bitter cumin extracts were characterized in various in vitro model systems such as DPPH radical, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power, oxidation of liposomes and oxidative damage to DNA.
Results
The phenolic extracts of bitter cumin at microgram concentration showed significant scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals, reduced phosphomolybdenum (Mo(VI) to Mo(V)), ferricyanide Fe(III) to Fe(II), inhibited liposomes oxidation and hydroxyl radical induced damage to prokaryotic genomic DNA. The results showed a direct correlation between phenolic acid content and antioxidant activity.
Conclusion
Bitter cumin is a good source of natural antioxidants.
Source : BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2011, 11:40doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-40
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Antioxidant activity of 45 Chinese herbs and the relationship with their TCM characteristics
Abstract
Here, 45 Chinese herbs that regulate blood circulation were analyzed for antioxidant activity using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. A recent publication by Ou et al. identified a close relationship between in vitro antioxidant activity and classification of Chinese herbs as yin or yang. The 45 Chinese herbs in this study could be assigned the traditional characteristics of natures (cold, cool, hot and warm), flavors (pungent, sweet, sour, bitter and salty) and functions (arresting bleeding, promoting blood flow to relieve stasis, nourishing blood and clearing away heat from blood). These characteristics are generalized according to the theory of yin and yang. We identified a broad range, 40–1990 µmol Trolox Equivalent/g herbs, of antioxidant activity in water extracts. There was no significant correlation between ORAC values and natures or functions of the herbs. There was a significant relationship between flavors and ORAC values. Bitter and/or sour herbs had the highest ORAC values, pungent and/or sweet herbs the lowest. Other flavors had intermediate values. Flavors also correspond with the yin/yang relationship and our results are supportive of the earlier publication. We reported for the first time antioxidant properties of many Chinese herbs. High antioxidant herbs were identified as Spatholobus suberectus vine (1990 µmol TE/g), Sanguisorba officinalis root (1940 µmol TE/g), Agrimonia pilosa herb (1440 µmol TE/g), Artemisia anomala herb (1400 µmol TE/g), Salvia miltiorrhiza root (1320 µmol TE/g) and Nelembo nucifera leaf (1300 µmol TE/g). Antioxidant capacity appears to correlate with the flavors of herbs identified within the formal TCM classification system and may be a useful guide in describing their utility and biochemical mechanism of action.
Source : Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 December; 5(4): 429–434. Published online 2007 June 11. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nem054PMCID: PMC2586310
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