Research - Mangos
Protective effect of polyphenols in an inflammatory process associated with experimental pulmonary fibrosis in mice
Abstract
Polyphenols have been described to have a wide range of biological activities, and many reports, published during recent years, have highlighted the beneficial effects of phenolic compounds, illustrating their promising role as therapeutic tools in several acute and chronic disorders. The purpose of study was to evaluate, in an already-assessed model of lung injury caused by bleomycin (BLM) administration, the role of resveratrol and quercetin, as well as to explore the potential beneficial properties of a mango leaf extract, rich in mangiferin, and a grape leaf extract, rich in dihydroquercetin (DHQ), on the same model. Mice were subjected to intra-tracheal administration of BLM, and polyphenols were administered by oral route immediately after BLM instillation and daily for 7 d. Treatment with resveratrol, mangiferin, quercetin and DHQ inhibited oedema formation and body weight loss, as well as ameliorated polymorphonuclear infiltration into the lung tissue and reduced the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, polyphenols suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and prevented oxidative and nitroxidative lung injury, as shown by the reduced nitrotyrosine and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase levels. The degree of apoptosis, as evaluated by Bid and Bcl-2 balance, was also suppressed after polyphenol treatment. Finally, these natural products down-regulated cyclo-oxygenase-2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylated expression and reduced NF-κBp65 translocation. Our findings confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol and quercetin in BLM-induced lung damage, and highlight, for the first time, the protective properties of exogenous administration of mangiferin and DHQ on experimental pulmonary fibrosis.
Source : British Journal of Nutrition
Link to Abstract
Assesment of Antidiabetic Activity of Mangifera Indica Seed Kernel Extracts in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats
M. S. Rajesh, J. Rajshekar
Abstract
The objective of the study was to screen the extracts of Mangifera indica seed kernel for its antidiabetic activity so that tons of mango seed kernels going waste during the mango season can be utilized as house hold remedy in treating diabetes so that the dose and cost of the actual treatment can be brought down. Extracts were evaluated for their glucose reducing effect in both normal and diabetic rats at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. Diabetes was induced by administering streptozotocin at 65 mg/kg body weight in citrate buffer intraperitonially. Blood samples were collected through tip of tail vein and the fasting blood glucose levels were estimated by using reactive strips of glucose oxidase and peroxidase. Serum lipid profiles were carried out by using ready kits by colorimetric method. The results indicate aqueous and methanolic extract of Mangifera indica seed kernel possesses significant antidiabetic activity.
Source : Journal of Natural Remedies
Link to Full Article
Mangos Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels Among Obese People
The positive health effects of Mangos have been recently explored and presented by researchers at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). They found that mangos have properties that can help regulate blood sugar levels among people suffering from obesity.
*The study, which was led by Edralin Lucas, Ph.D., evaluated what effect eating mangos everyday would have on a total of twenty obese adult people. The participants ate 10 grams of freeze-dried mango everyday for 12 weeks.
At the end of the study period they found that the blood sugar levels of the participants were much lower than at the start of the study.
Among both genders there wasn't any substantial change in body composition, however, BMIs (body mass indexes) went up among the female participants.
The authors noted that these results are only from a single study and that more research is necessary to fully understand the health effects of mango consumption among obese people.
Obesity is a serious public health issue in the U.S., where a total of twelve states have 30+% obesity rates today, compared to just one in 2007. Since 1995, obesity rates have risen by 90+% in 10 states and have doubled in another 7.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is a main cause of: type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, liver and gallbladder disease and high cholesterol.
Researchers have long been looking for factors that can help prevent the health effects of obesity. This study, along with others, shows promise for those suffering from the condition.
According to Dr. Lucas:
"The results of this study support what we learned in our recent animal model, which found that mango improved blood glucose in mice fed a high fat diet. Although the mechanism by which mango exerts its effects warrants further investigation, we do know that mangos contain a complex mixture of polyphenolic compounds.
Research has shown that several other plants and their polyphenolic compounds, such as isoflavone from soy, epigallocatechin gallate from green tea , and proanthocyanidin from grape seed , have a positive effect on adipose tissue."
An average mango has an energy value per 100g of approximately 60 kcal, they have numerous health benefits and nutrients, they are naturally high in prebiotic dietary fiber (substances that encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria, not to be confused with probiotics), vitamin C, and antioxidant vitamins A and C, as well as vitamin B6. Mango contains triterpene and lupeol, which have been found to be an effective inhibitor in laboratory models of prostate and skin cancer.
The health benefits of mango consumption have been explored in previous studies,. Texas AgriLife Research food scientists found that mango able to prevent or stop certain colon and breast cancer cells in the lab.
Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Source : Medical News Today
Link to Source