Detoxification effects of aloe polysaccharide and propolis on the urinary excretion of metabolites in smokers

Medicinal Plant-derived Phytochemicals in Detoxification

The average worldwide human life expectancy is 70 years, with a significantly higher value in Western societies. Many modern diseases are not associated with premature mortality but with a decreased quality of life in aged patients and an excessive accumulation of various toxic compounds in the human body during life. Today, scientists are especially interested in finding compounds that can help increase a healthy lifespan by detoxifying the body. Phytotherapy with specific approaches is used in alternative medicine to remove toxins from the body. Worldwide, research is conducted to identify medicinal plant-derived molecules that, with few or no side effects, may protect the liver and other organs. This review provides updated information about the detoxification process, the traditional and modern use of the most effective medicinal plants, their active metabolites as detoxifying agents, and the mechanisms and pathways involved in the detoxification process. Among medicinal plants with substantial detoxifying properties, a major part belongs to the Asteraceae family (Silybum marianum, Cynara scolymus, Arctium lappa, Helichrysum species, Inula helenium, and Taraxacum officinale). The most widely used hepatoprotective phytocomponent is silymarin, a standardized extract from the Silybum marianum seeds containing a mixture of flavonolignans. Many polysaccharides, polyphenols, and terpenoids have a detoxifying effect. Overall, scientific data on medicinal plants used in phytotherapeutic practice worldwide provides an understanding and awareness of their efficacy in detoxification.

The effects of propolis on pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance, glycemic control, and quality of life in chronic kidney disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive kidney damage with an increasing prevalence. Some evidence suggests that propolis as a novel antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agent may have beneficial effects in CKD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of propolis on some kidney function parameters, pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), glycemic status, quality of life, and blood pressure (BP) in patients with CKD. In this study, 44 patients with CKD were randomly assigned to receive propolis capsules at a dose of 250 mg daily or placebo for three months. Of 44 randomized individuals, 35 completed the trial. At the end of the intervention (end of month three), improvement in some dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (derived from Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short-Form (KDQOL-[Formula: see text], v. 1.3) questionnaire) were significantly higher in the propolis group than the placebo group, even after adjustment for baseline values, present of diabetes, and age (P < 0.05). Like systolic and diastolic BP, changes in serum creatinine, 24-h urine volume and protein, fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), insulin, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and PAB did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). No serious adverse events were reported throughout the study. Propolis supplementation may improve the HRQoL of CKD patients. More studies are needed to validate the adjunct use of propolis for metabolic control of CKD patients.

The Potential Use of Propolis as a Primary or an Adjunctive Therapy in Respiratory Tract-Related Diseases and Disorders: A Systematic Scoping Review

Propolis is a resinous beehive product that is collected by the bees from plant resin and exudates, to protect and maintain hive homeostasis. Propolis has been used by humans therapeutically to treat many ailments including respiratory tract-related diseases and disorders. The aim of the present systematic scoping review is to evaluate the experimental evidence to support the use of propolis as a primary or an adjunctive therapy in respiratory tract-related diseases and disorders. After applying the exclusion criteria, 158 research publications were retrieved and identified from Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed, and Google Scholar. The key themes of the included studies were pathogenic infection-related diseases and disorders, inflammation-related disorders, lung cancers, and adverse effects. Furthermore, the potential molecular and biochemical mechanisms of action of propolis in alleviating respiratory tract-related diseases and disorders are discussed. In conclusion, the therapeutic benefits of propolis have been demonstrated by various in vitro studies, in silico studies, animal models, and human clinical trials. Based on the weight and robustness of the available experimental and clinical evidence, propolis is effective, either as a primary or an adjunctive therapy, in treating respiratory tract-related diseases.

The potential health benefits of aloin from genus Aloe

The Aloe species is known for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. Aloin is an active ingredient found in the leaves of medicinal plants of the genus Aloe. Aloin has attracted considerable interest for its antiinflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. However, since its clinical application is restricted by its unclear mechanism of action, a deeper understanding of its pharmacological activity is required. This review provides an overview of current pharmacological and toxicological studies published in English from February 2000 to August 2021. Herein, we summarized the sources and potential health benefits of aloin from a clinical application perspective to guide for further studies on the sources of aloin, aimed at efficiently increasing aloin production. Importantly, the function and mechanism of action of aloin remain unclarified. In future research, it is necessary to develop new approaches for studying the pharmacological molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of this compound against various diseases.

Detoxification of Oral Exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene by Lactobacillus plantarum CICC 23121 in Mice

This study's previous work showed that the carcinogen and mutagen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) can be adsorbed by Lactobacillus cells in vitro. However, in vivo BaP detoxification by lactic acid bacteria has not yet been investigated. The present study evaluates the effects of orally administered Lactobacillus plantarum CICC 23121 in BaP-treated mice. Oral administration of 50 mg kg^-1 BaP perturbed the intestinal microflora, caused Proteobacteria to predominate, and severely damaged DNA. However, oral administration of 5 × 10¹⁰ CFU mL^-1 CICC 23121 in BaP-treated mice enhances fecal BaP excretion from 181.70 ± 1.04 µg/(g∙h) to 271.47 ± 11.71 µg/(g∙h) after 6 h. Fecal BaP excretion reaches up to 280.66 ± 22.97 µg/(g∙h) after the first 4 days of orally administered CICC 23121 and decreased to 94.31 ± 2.64 µg/(g∙h) by day 11. Intestinal microbiota are restored and Firmicutes predominates. CICC 23121 alleviates BaP-induced DNA damage and reduces tail length from 56.37 ± 5.31  to 39.69 ± 4.27 µm. Therefore, oral CICC23121 consumption is a promising strategy for reducing BaP toxicity in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first report to demonstrate in vivo that Lactobacillus cells can detoxify BaP.

Propolis antiviral and immunomodulatory activity: a review and perspectives for COVID-19 treatment

OBJECTIVES

Viral outbreaks are a frequent concern for humans. A great variety of drugs has been used to treat viral diseases, which are not always safe and effective and may induce adverse effects, indicating the need for new antiviral drugs extracted from natural sources. Propolis is a bee-made product exhibiting many biological properties. An overview of viruses, antiviral immunity, propolis safety and its immunomodulatory and antiviral action is reported, as well as perspectives for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. PubMed platform was used for data collection, searching for the keywords "propolis", "virus", "antiviral", "antimicrobial" and "coronavirus".

KEY FINDINGS

Propolis is safe and exerts antiviral and immunomodulatory activity; however, clinical trials should investigate its effects on individuals with viral diseases, in combination or not with antiviral drugs or vaccines.

SUMMARY

Regarding COVID-19, the effects of propolis should be investigated directly on the virus in vitro or on infected individuals alone or in combination with antiviral drugs, due to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory action. Propolis administration simultaneously with vaccines should be analyzed, due to its adjuvant properties, to enhance the individuals' immune response. The search for therapeutic targets may be useful to find out how propolis can help to control COVID-19.

The role of sugar-rich diet and salivary proteins in dental plaque formation and oral health

BACKGROUND

Dental plaque is a complex colorless film of bacteria that develops on the surfaces of teeth. Different mechanisms of microbial adhesion to tooth surfaces exist. Both non-specific and specific types of adherence have been anticipated.

HIGHLIGHT

The present review evaluated the effect of sugar-rich diet and salivary proteins on oral hygiene and dental plaque development.

CONCLUSION

The oral microbiota is essential for maintaining and reestablishing a healthy oral cavity. Different types of sugars have different effects on the inhibition and formation of dental plaque. The peptides, proteins, and amino acids secreted by parotid glands in the oral cavity facilitate neutralizing the acidity in dental plaque and preventing dental caries. A properly balanced diet is crucial for both a healthy oral cavity and the oral microbiome.

Effects of propolis supplementation on glycemic status, lipid profiles, inflammation and oxidative stress, liver enzymes, and body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

The aim of meta-analysis was to assess the effects of propolis on markers of oxidative stress, lipid profiles, inflammation and glycemic control, liver enzymes, and weight control. The heterogeneity between the included studies was indicated using the Cochrane's Q test and I-square (I²) statistic. 14 trials were included in this meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis indicated a significant reduction in fating glucose (WMD: -17.00; 95% CI: -30.88, -3.11), HbA1C (WMD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.75, -0.10), and insulin (WMD: -1.75; 95% CI: -3.24, -0.26) and a marginally significant reduction in insulin resistance (WMD: -0.60; 95% CI: -1.20, 0.00) following propolis supplementation in 10, 8, 6, and 5 studies, respectively. Pooling 5 effect sizes, a significant reduction was seen in ALT (WMD: -5.63; 95% CI: -10.59, -0.67) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD: -3.09; 95% CI: -5.15, -1.03) following propolis. A significant beneficial effect was observed for CRP (WMD: -1.11; 95% CI: -1.92, -0.29), TNF-α (WMD: -6.71; 95% CI: -9.44, -3.98) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD: -17.99; 95% CI: -35.56, -0.42) concentrations after propolis supplementation. This study demonstrated the beneficial effects of propolis on FPG, HbA1c, insulin, CRP, TNF-α and liver enzymes levels.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-020-00696-w.

Effects of Aloe arborescens Whole Plant Homogenate on Lipid Metabolism, Inflammatory Conditions and Liver Function of Dairy Cows during the Transition Period

Simple Summary

This study highlights the positive effect of an Aloe arborescens Mill. whole plant homogenate on the liver and renal function of dairy cows during the peripartum period. Such positive effects could depend on both anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects of Aloe that could have mitigated hepatic stresses that typically occur in early lactation. Our findings suggest Aloe arborescens supplementation to be an effective strategy to ameliorate adverse metabolic conditions in transition cows, indicating it as a preventive nutraceutical strategy against metabolic disorders.

Abstract

The anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects exerted by Aloe on monogastric mammals suggest it as a potential strategy to address the tremendous metabolic alterations that affect dairy cows during their transition to calving. A group of 20 multiparous Italian Holstein dairy cows were housed in freestalls and allocated into two homogeneous groups to receive either 200 g/d of water (CTR) or 200 g/day of Aloe arborescens Mill. whole plant homogenate through a rumen tube (AAM) between −14 and 14 days from calving (DFC). From −14 to 35 DFC, the BCS, and milk yield were measured, and blood samples were collected to assess the hematochemical profile. Data underwent ANOVA testing using a mixed model for repeated measurements, including the treatment and time and their interactions as fixed effects. Compared to CTR cows, AAM cows had a less pronounced BCS loss in early lactation (p < 0.01), indicating less mobilization of body reserves. Compared to CTR cows, AAM cows had a lower plasma concentration of nonesterified fatty acids and beta hydroxybutyrate (p < 0.01 and = 0.01 respectively) that, paired with the lower butterfat content and fat/protein ratio in their milk (p = 0.03 and < 0.01 respectively), indicates that Aloe reduced the mobilization of body fats. AAM cows had a reduced concentration of myeloperoxidase in plasma and a lower SCC in milk compared to CTR cows (p = 0.02 for both), indicating an anti-inflammatory effect of Aloe. Furthermore, AAM cows had a lower plasma concentration of ceruloplasmin (p < 0.05) and higher plasma concentration of cholesterol, retinol, and paraoxonase compared to CTR cows (p < 0.01, < 0.01 and < 0.05 respectively), indicating Aloe was effective in mitigating the acute phase response in early lactation. Finally, AAM cows had lower plasma creatinine concentrations around calving (p < 0.05), a lower concentration of plasma bilirubin, and a higher concentration of plasma tocopherol compared to CTR cows (p = 0.01 for both). These data suggest Aloe has anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects on transition dairy cows that could have ameliorated liver and kidney function disruption and increased the availability of body antioxidants in early lactation.

Pharmacological Update Properties of Aloe Vera and its Major Active Constituents

Aloe vera has been traditionally used to treat skin injuries (burns, cuts, insect bites, and eczemas) and digestive problems because its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound healing properties. Research on this medicinal plant has been aimed at validating traditional uses and deepening the mechanism of action, identifying the compounds responsible for these activities. The most investigated active compounds are aloe-emodin, aloin, aloesin, emodin, and acemannan. Likewise, new actions have been investigated for Aloe vera and its active compounds. This review provides an overview of current pharmacological studies (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials), written in English during the last six years (2014–2019). In particular, new pharmacological data research has shown that most studies refer to anti-cancer action, skin and digestive protective activity, and antimicrobial properties. Most recent works are in vitro and in vivo. Clinical trials have been conducted just with Aloe vera, but not with isolated compounds; therefore, it would be interesting to study the clinical effect of relevant metabolites in different human conditions and pathologies. The promising results of these studies in basic research encourage a greater number of clinical trials to test the clinical application of Aloe vera and its main compounds, particularly on bone protection, cancer, and diabetes.

Dietary phytochemicals as the potential protectors against carcinogenesis and their role in cancer chemoprevention

Health-threatening consequences of carcinogen exposure are mediated via occurrence of electrophiles or reactive oxygen species. As a result, the accumulation of biomolecular damage leads to the cancer initiation, promotion or progression. Accordingly, there is an association between lifestyle factors including inappropriate diet or carcinogen formation during food processing, mainstream, second or third-hand tobacco smoke and other environmental or occupational carcinogens and malignant transformation. Nevertheless, increasing evidence supports the protective effects of naturally occurring phytochemicals against carcinogen exposure as well as carcinogenesis in general. Isolated phytochemicals or their mixtures present in the whole plant food demonstrate efficacy against malignancy induced by carcinogens widely spread in our environment. Phytochemicals also minimize the generation of carcinogenic substances during the processing of meat and meat products. Based on numerous data, selected phytochemicals or plant foods should be highly recommended to become a stable and regular part of the diet as the protectors against carcinogenesis.