Identification of diacylglycerol acyltransferase inhibitors from Rosa centifolia petals

ROS Modulating Effects of Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Polyphenols on Obese Adipocyte Hypertrophy and Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction

Oxidative stress and dysregulated adipocytokine secretion accompanying hypertrophied adipose tissue induce chronic inflammation, which leads to vascular endothelial dysfunction. The present study investigated the ability of anthocyanin (ACN) and non-anthocyanin polyphenol (PP) fractions from lingonberry fruit to mitigate adipose tissue hypertrophy and endothelial dysfunction using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). This study showed that the PP fraction decreased intracellular ROS generation in hypertrophied adipocytes by enhancing antioxidant enzyme expression (SOD2) and inhibiting oxidant enzyme expression (NOX4, iNOS). Moreover, PP and ACN fractions reduced triglyceride content in adipocytes accompanied by downregulation of the expression of lipogenic genes such as aP2, FAS, and DAGT1. Treatment with both fractions modulated the mRNA expression and protein secretion of key adipokines in hypertrophied adipocytes. Expression and secretion of leptin and adiponectin were, respectively, down- and upregulated. Furthermore, PP and ACN fractions alleviated the inflammatory response in TNF-α-induced HUVECs by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (IL-6, IL-1β) and adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, SELE). The obtained results suggest that consuming polyphenol-rich lingonberry fruit may help prevent and treat obesity and endothelial dysfunction due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Vasant Kusmakar Ras, an ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation prevents the development of diabetic retinopathy in rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetic retinopathy is a slow progressing complication of diabetes mellitus with multifactorial aetiology affecting approximately 80% of diabetics worldwide. Chronic hyperglycemic milieu of Diabetes induces biochemical changes which contribute to the pathogenesis of Diabetic retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the protective effect of Vasant Kusumakar Ras, an Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation, in diabetic retinopathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). Rats were kept without any treatment for period of three weeks for induction of Diabetic retinopathy followed by treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras (11.25 mg/kg, p.o) for further 5 weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels, lipid profile and HbA1c were determined. Eye tissue homogenates were subjected to biochemical analysis to determine the levels of oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation), vascular endothelial growth factor and aldose reductase activity. Histopathological analysis of retinal tissue was conducted using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining.

RESULTS

Vasant Kusumakar Ras treatment restored serum lipid profile which was altered in diabetic rats. Treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras significantly ameliorated the oxidative stress in eye tissue resulting in decreased lipid peroxidation and increase in endogenous antioxidant levels. Levels of aldose reductase and vascular endothelial growth factor in eye tissue were significantly decreased in Vasant Kusumakar Ras treated rats. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining indicated that the Vasant Kusumakar Ras treatment significantly restored the normal architecture of the retinal tissue.

CONCLUSION

Vasant Kusumakar Ras exhibits protective effect and prevents the development of Diabetic retinopathy through its effects on multiple biochemical pathways implicated in pathogenesis of Diabetic retinopathy.

Biological Activity of Conventional and Organic Pomegranate Juices: Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Potential

None of the health claims about pomegranate juices has been approved yet by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). There is a general perception among consumers that organic foods are healthier, tastier, and more nutritive than the conventional products. The aim of this research was to study the differences in the biological activity between ready-for-consumption juices obtained from pomegranates fruits grown under conventional and organic agricultural practices. Antioxidant activity has been evaluated by three methods (DPPH^•, ABTS⁺, and FRAP), together with the total contents of phenolics and punicalagin (HPLC-DAD); besides, the Ames test was used to evaluate the antimutagenic potential of the juices. Pomegranate juice, either from conventionally or organically grown fruits, was antimutagenic (mean of 51 and 90 % for Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA98, respectively) and it was capable of protecting DNA from both, base-pair or frame-shift type of mutations. In fact, the antimutagenicity of conventional pomegranate juice was higher than that achieved by the organic sample; this finding was linked to a higher punicalagin content (201 and 104 mg L^-1 for conventional and organic juices, respectively).

Clinical Evaluation of a New-Formula Shampoo for Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis Containing Extract of Rosa centifolia Petals and Epigallocatechin Gallate: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

Background

Scalp seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic type of inflammatory dermatosis that is associated with sebum secretion and proliferation of Malassezia species. Ketoconazole or zinc-pyrithione shampoos are common treatments for scalp seborrheic dermatitis. However, shampoos comprising different compounds are required to provide patients with a wider range of treatment options.

Objective

This study was designed to evaluate a new-formula shampoo that contains natural ingredients-including extract of Rosa centifolia petals and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-that exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and sebum secretion inhibitory effects, and antifungal agents for the treatment of scalp seborrheic dermatitis.

Methods

Seventy-five patients were randomized into three treatment groups; new-formula shampoo, 2% ketoconazole shampoo, and 1% zinc- pyrithione shampoo. The clinical severity scores and sebum levels were assessed by the same dermatologists at baseline (week 0), and at 2 and 4 weeks after using the shampoo. User satisfaction and irritation were also assessed with the aid of a questionnaire.

Results

The efficacy of the new-formula shampoo was comparable to that of both the 1% zinc-pyrithione shampoo and the 2% ketoconazole shampoo. Furthermore, it was found to provide a more rapid response than the 1% zinc-pyrithione shampoo for mild erythema lesions and was associated with greater user satisfaction compared with the 2% ketoconazole shampoo. However, the new-formula shampoo did not exhibit the previously reported sebum inhibitory effect.

Conclusion

Extract of R. centifolia petals or EGCG could be useful ingredients in the treatment of scalp seborrheic dermatitis.

Acute effects of pomegranate extract on postprandial lipaemia, vascular function and blood pressure

We investigated whether a test drink enriched in pomegranate polyphenols, consumed with a high-fat meal, can reduce postprandial lipaemia and improve vascular function and blood pressure compared to placebo. Nineteen young, healthy men completed a randomized, controlled crossover trial. The active drink (containing a pomegranate extract) was consumed during a high-fat meal (ET-DUR) or 15 min before (ET-PRE), and the placebo drink (no pomegranate extract) was consumed during the high-fat meal (CONTROL). Postprandial lipaemia was assessed by venous plasma TAG 0-2 h, and capillary plasma TAG 0-4 h. Blood pressure and digital volume pulse, to measure reflection index (DVP-RI) and stiffness index (DVP-SI), were monitored at baseline, 2 and 4 h. There was no inhibition of postprandial lipaemia by the active drink compared to CONTROL. ET-PRE caused a greater increase in the venous plasma TAG at 2 h compared to CONTROL and ET-DUR (treatment effect P = 0.001). The incremental area under the curve 0-4 h for capillary plasma TAG was not significantly different between treatments. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased in the ET-PRE and ET-DUR groups to a lesser extent than the CONTROL group (treatment effect P = 0.041). There were no treatment effects for DVP-RI, DVP-SI or diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, the consumption of a single drink containing ET-rich pomegranate extract did not decrease postprandial plasma TAG concentrations, but suppressed the postprandial increase in SBP following the high-fat meal.

Inhibitory activity of Filipendula ulmaria constituents on recombinant human histidine decarboxylase

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) catalyses the formation of histamine, a bioactive amine. Agents that control HDC activity are beneficial for treating histamine-mediated symptoms, such as allergies and stomach ulceration. We searched for inhibitors of HDC from the ethyl acetate extract of the petal of Filipendula ulmaria, also called meadowsweet. Rugosin D, rugosin A, rugosin A methyl ester (a novel compound), and tellimagrandin II were the main components; these 4 ellagitannins exhibited a non-competitive type of inhibition, with K(i) values of approximately 0.35-1 μM. These K(i) values are nearly equal to that of histidine methyl ester (K(i)=0.46 μM), an existing substrate analogue inhibitor. Our results show that food products contain potent HDC inhibitors and that these active food constituents might be useful for designing clinically available HDC inhibitors.