Biological Properties of Flavonoids Pertaining to Inflammation

Aspiration with Diosmin Intake in Endometrial Cavity Fluid Accumulation in ART Cycles: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

This was a prospective randomized controlled trial in 200 cases presented with endometrial cavity fluid at the day of oocyte retrieval at a private fertility center from 2013 to 2021. The cases were randomized at day of ovum pickup into 2 groups: Group 1 (control group) (n = 100): conventional management with follow-up and reassessment by transvaginal ultrasound on day 5. Group 2 (interventional group) (n = 100): aspiration of the fluid was done and cases were given diosmin 500 mg 3 times per day till reassessment at embryo transfer day. In both groups, we proceeded with fresh embryo transfer if no fluid is present on day 5 or freeze-all policy if persistent fluid was detected.

Results

Endometrial fluid on the 5th day was significantly higher in the control group (28.0%) than in the interventional group (6.0%) (P < 0.001). Regarding pregnancy rate, although being higher in the interventional group (54.3% vs 50.0%), the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.5). It was found that the intervention was associated with risk reduction of endometrial fluid (OR = 0.168, 95% CI = 0.065-0.429, P < 0.001.

Conclusion

Aspiration of endometrial cavity fluid with diosmin intake increased the likelihood of fresh embryo transfer and with a slightly better pregnancy rate compared to conservative management.Clinical trial number: NCT02158000, Date of registration: 6/6/2014, Date of initial enrollment (first patient recruiting): 1/11/2014, URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02158000.

Flavonoids and their therapeutic applications in skin diseases

Flavonoids are a class of plant polyphenols found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, teas, and flowers. These compounds are present in many common dietary sources, such as green tea, wine, pomegranates, and turmeric, and possess a broad spectrum of biological activity due to their unique chemical structure. Flavonoids exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticarcinogenic properties that have been widely studied as potential therapeutics for diseases ranging from Alzheimer's disease to liver disease. There is currently significant research into therapeutic benefits of flavonoids in various skin conditions as these compounds have been shown to absorb ultraviolet radiation and modulate cancer and inflammation signaling pathways. This review discusses the current research in the application of flavonoids in skin diseases (e.g., prevention of premature photoaging, prevention and treatment of skin cancer, and promotion of skin wound healing) and their proposed mechanisms to provide a basis for future basic and translational research of flavonoids as potential drugs in the prevention and treatment of skin disorders.

Flavonoids and their therapeutic applications in skin diseases

Flavonoids are a class of plant polyphenols found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, teas, and flowers. These compounds are present in many common dietary sources, such as green tea, wine, pomegranates, and turmeric, and possess a broad spectrum of biological activity due to their unique chemical structure. Flavonoids exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticarcinogenic properties that have been widely studied as potential therapeutics for diseases ranging from Alzheimer's disease to liver disease. There is currently significant research into therapeutic benefits of flavonoids in various skin conditions as these compounds have been shown to absorb ultraviolet radiation and modulate cancer and inflammation signaling pathways. This review discusses the current research in the application of flavonoids in skin diseases (e.g., prevention of premature photoaging, prevention and treatment of skin cancer, and promotion of skin wound healing) and their proposed mechanisms to provide a basis for future basic and translational research of flavonoids as potential drugs in the prevention and treatment of skin disorders.

Applications and Pharmacological Properties of Cactus Pear (Opuntia spp.) Peel: A Review

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in the exploitation of by-products from fruits and vegetables, generated from industrial processing or human feeding. Residues of popularly consumed fruits such as orange, lemon, banana, pomegranate, among others, have been widely described and studied; however, cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) residues, as a locally consumed product, have been forgotten. The whole fruit can be divided into the edible portion (pulp) and the non-edible portion (seeds and peel). Several studies mainly focus on the characteristics of the edible portion or in the whole fruit, ignoring by-products such as peels, which are rich in compounds such as phenols, flavonoids and dietary fiber; they have also been proposed as an alternative source of lipids, carbohydrates and natural colorants. Some uses of the peel have been reported as a food additives, food supplements, as a source of pectins and for wastewater treatment; however, there have not been any deep investigations of the characteristics and potential uses of the cactus pear peel (CPP). The aim of the present paper is to provide an overview of the current research on CPP. CPP has many bio-active compounds that may provide health benefits and may also be useful in pharmaceutical, food and manufacturing industries; however, greater research is needed in order to gain thorough knowledge of the possibilities of this by-product.

Natural flavonoids: Potential therapeutic strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing rapidly worldwide; however, there are currently limited treatments for NAFLD. The disease spectrum includes simple fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). The therapeutic effects of NAFLD remain controversial. Although researchers have conducted studies on the pathogenesis of NAFLD, its pathogenesis and anti-NAFLD mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Previous studies have found that flavonoids, as natural substances with extensive pharmacological activity and good therapeutic effects, have excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic disease improvement, anti-tumor, and other properties and can significantly alleviate NAFLD. Flavonoids could be further developed as therapeutic drugs for NAFLD. In this paper, the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the mechanisms of flavonoids against NAFLD are summarized to provide a theoretical basis for screening flavonoids against non-alcoholic liver injury.

Interventions to prevent or treat heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use

BACKGROUND

Heavy menstrual bleeding and pain are common reasons women discontinue intrauterine device (IUD) use. Copper IUD (Cu IUD) users tend to experience increased menstrual bleeding, whereas levonorgestrel IUD (LNG IUD) users tend to have irregular menstruation. Medical therapies used to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with Cu and LNG IUD use include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-fibrinolytics and paracetamol. We analysed treatment and prevention interventions separately because the expected outcomes for treatment and prevention interventions differ. We did not combine different drug classes in the analysis as they have different mechanisms of action. This is an update of a review originally on NSAIDs. The review scope has been widened to include all interventions for treatment or prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with IUD use.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have assessed strategies for treatment and prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with IUD use, for example, pharmacotherapy and alternative therapies.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL to January 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs in any language that tested strategies for treatment or prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with IUD (Cu IUD, LNG IUD or other IUD) use. The comparison could be no intervention, placebo or another active intervention.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, and extracted data. Primary outcomes were volume of menstrual blood loss, duration of menstruation and painful menstruation. We used a random-effects model in all meta-analyses. Review authors assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

This review includes 21 trials involving 3689 participants from middle- and high-income countries. Women were 18 to 45 years old and either already using an IUD or had just had one placed for contraception. The included trials examined NSAIDs and other interventions. Eleven were treatment trials, of these seven were on users of the Cu IUD, one on LNG IUD and three on an unknown type. Ten were prevention trials, six focused on Cu IUD users, and four on LNG IUD users. Sixteen trials had high risk of detection bias due to subjective assessment of pain and bleeding. Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding Cu IUD Vitamin B1 resulted in fewer pads used per day (mean difference (MD) -7.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.50 to -5.50) and fewer bleeding days (MD -2.00, 95% CI -2.38 to -1.62; 1 trial; 110 women; low-certainty evidence) compared to placebo. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of naproxen on the volume of menstruation compared to placebo (odds ratio (OR) 0.09, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.78; 1 trial, 40 women; very low-certainty evidence). Treatment with mefenamic acid resulted in less volume of blood loss compared to tranexamic acid (MD -64.26, 95% CI -105.65 to -22.87; 1 trial, 94 women; low-certainty evidence). However, there was no difference in duration of bleeding with treatment of mefenamic acid or tranexamic acid (MD 0.08 days, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.42, 2 trials, 152 women; low-certainty evidence). LNG IUD The use of ulipristal acetate in LNG IUD may not reduce the number of bleeding days in 90 days in comparison to placebo (MD -9.30 days, 95% CI -26.76 to 8.16; 1 trial, 24 women; low-certainty evidence). Unknown IUD type Mefenamic acid may not reduce volume of bleeding compared to Vitex agnus measured by pictorial blood assessment chart (MD -2.40, 95% CI -13.77 to 8.97; 1 trial; 84 women; low-certainty evidence). Treatment of pain Cu IUD Treatment with tranexamic acid and sodium diclofenac may result in little or no difference in the occurrence of pain (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.06 to 17.25; 1 trial, 38 women; very low-certainty evidence). Unknown IUD type Naproxen may reduce pain (MD 4.10, 95% CI 0.91 to 7.29; 1 trial, 33 women; low-certainty evidence). Prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding Cu IUD We found very low-certainty evidence that tolfenamic acid may prevent heavy bleeding compared to placebo (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.85; 1 trial, 310 women). There was no difference between ibuprofen and placebo in blood volume reduction (MD -14.11, 95% CI -36.04 to 7.82) and duration of bleeding (MD -0.2 days, 95% CI -1.40 to 1.0; 1 trial, 28 women, low-certainty evidence). Aspirin may not prevent heavy bleeding in comparison to paracetamol (MD -0.30, 95% CI -26.16 to 25.56; 1 trial, 20 women; very low-certainty evidence). LNG IUD Ulipristal acetate may increase the percentage of bleeding days compared to placebo (MD 9.50, 95% CI 1.48 to 17.52; 1 trial, 118 women; low-certainty evidence). There were insufficient data for analysis in a single trial comparing mifepristone and vitamin B. There were insufficient data for analysis in the single trial comparing tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid and in another trial comparing naproxen with estradiol. Prevention of pain Cu IUD There was low-certainty evidence that tolfenamic acid may not be effective to prevent painful menstruation compared to placebo (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.14; 1 trial, 310 women). Ibuprofen may not reduce menstrual cramps compared to placebo (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.11 to 8.95; 1 trial, 20 women, low-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this review should be interpreted with caution due to low- and very low-certainty evidence. Included trials were limited; the majority of the evidence was derived from single trials with few participants. Further research requires larger trials and improved trial reporting. The use of vitamin B1 and mefenamic acid to treat heavy menstruation and tolfenamic acid to prevent heavy menstruation associated with Cu IUD should be investigated. More trials are needed to generate evidence for the treatment and prevention of heavy and painful menstruation associated with LNG IUD.

Anti‐shigellosis activity of the aqueous extract of garlic, clove and fenugreek

Shigellosis causes severe diarrhea and, in some cases, death in children. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti‐shigellosis efficacy of some aqueous herbal extracts or their chosen mixtures, including fenugreek seed, black seed, clove, garlic, and ginger. The antibacterial potential was assessed by well diffusion and microdilution assays. The extracts' minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.39 to 12.5 mg/ml. The water extract of garlic and combinations of garlic with either fenugreek or clove extracts had the highest antibacterial efficacy, hence these extracts were chosen for the in vivo investigation. Rats were given a Shigella dysenteriae inoculum and then administrated two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg bw) of the selected herbal extracts or the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (20 mg/kg bw) to treat Shigellosis in vivo. The results showed that garlic and clove extract mixtures (G6, 200 mg/kg bw), garlic and fenugreek mixtures (G7 and G8, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw), and ciprofloxacin group (G9, 20 mg/kg bw) had the best anti‐Shigellosis efficacy. G7 (garlic and fenugreek mixtures (100 mg/kg bw) outperformed almost all other groups evaluated. This group had lower defecation frequency, lower stool‐Shigella loudness, restored body weight, recovered hematological, and liver and kidney functions, besides exhibited no anatomical alterations in the colon tissue that were comparable to the uninfected group. As a result, in the treatment of Shigella, this extract combination may be suggested as a viable therapeutic alternative to antibiotics.

Nanotechnology Applications of Flavonoids for Viral Diseases

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of several viral diseases, including various zoonotic diseases such as the current pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Other viruses, which possess pandemic-causing potential include avian flu, Ebola, dengue, Zika, and Nipah virus, as well as the re-emergence of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) coronaviruses. Notably, effective drugs or vaccines against these viruses are still to be discovered. All the newly approved vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2-induced disease COVID-19 possess real-time possibility of becoming obsolete because of the development of ‘variants of concern’. Flavonoids are being increasingly recognized as prophylactic and therapeutic agents against emerging and old viral diseases. Around 10,000 natural flavonoid compounds have been identified, being phytochemicals, all plant-based. Flavonoids have been reported to have lesser side effects than conventional anti-viral agents and are effective against more viral diseases than currently used anti-virals. Despite their abundance in plants, which are a part of human diet, flavonoids have the problem of low bioavailability. Various attempts are in progress to increase the bioavailability of flavonoids, one of the promising fields being nanotechnology. This review is a narrative of some anti-viral dietary flavonoids, their bioavailability, and various means with an emphasis on the nanotechnology system(s) being experimented with to deliver anti-viral flavonoids, whose systems show potential in the efficient delivery of flavonoids, resulting in increased bioavailability.

Analysis and Potential Value of Compounds Extracted From Star Ruby, Rio Red, and Ruby Red Grapefruit, and Grapefruit Juice Processing Residues via Steam Explosion

Culled whole grapefruit (WG) and grapefruit juice processing residues (GP) are currently incorporated into low-cost animal feed. If individual chemical components found within these side streams could be recovered as high-value coproducts, this would improve the overall value of the grapefruit crop. In this study, pectic hydrocolloids, sugars, volatiles, phenolics, and flavonoids were extracted from Star Ruby, Rio Red, and Ruby Red GP and WG using a continuous pilot scale steam explosion system. Up to 97% of grapefruit juice oils and peel oils could be volatilized and contained 87-94% d-limonene. The recovery of pectin, as determined by galacturonic acid content, was between 2.06 and 2.72 g 100 g-1. Of the phenolics and flavonoids analyzed in this study, narirutin and naringin were extracted in the amounts of up to 10,000 and 67,000 μg g-1, respectively.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Artemisia vulgaris Leaves, Originating from Three Different Altitudes of Nepal

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the in vivo chronic anti-inflammatory efficacy, from the ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts of Artemisia vulgaris leaves, grown at three different altitudes in Nepal, by formalin-induced paw edema in Swiss albino mice. Edema was induced on the mice paw by administering 0.2% of formalin injection. Indomethacin was used as a standard drug at the concentration of 5 mg/kg of body weight. Ethyl acetate and ethanolic leaves extract, at the concentration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, were used as test drugs. Standard drug and all the extracts were administered 30 min before formalin injection. The paw thickness was measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 24, 48, and 72 hours after formalin injection, using a Vernier caliper. It was observed that both ethyl acetate and ethanolic extract from all the altitudes exhibited significant inhibition of paw edema (p < 0.05) induced by formalin. Maximum activity was shown by 400 mg/kg of the plant leaf extract taken from the temperate zone, with 54.05% of paw edema inhibition, and it is almost similar to the inhibition of standard drug (56.75%). Moreover, the ethanolic extract was found to be more effective than ethyl acetate extract in all the plant samples. The results suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of A. vulgaris leaves increases with an increase in altitudes and this plant can be used as a useful source of medicine to treat chronic inflammation.

Hydroxyl Groups on Annular Ring-B Dictate the Affinities of Flavonol-CCL2 Chemokine Binding Interactions

Owing to the astounding biological properties, dietary plant flavonoids have received considerable attention toward developing unique supplementary food sources to prevent various ailments. Chemokines are chemotactic proteins involved in leukocyte trafficking through their interactions with G-protein-coupled receptors and cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). CCL2 chemokine, a foremost member of CC chemokines, is associated with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory infirmities, thus making the CCL2-Receptor (CCR2)/GAG axis a potential pharmacological target. The current study is designed to unravel the structural details of CCL2-flavonol interactions. Molecular interactions between flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin) with human/murine CCL2 orthologs and their monomeric/dimeric variants were systematically investigated using a combination of biophysical approaches. Fluorescence studies have unveiled that flavonols interact with CCL2 orthologs specifically but with differential affinities. The dissociation constants (K _d) were in the range of 10^-5-10^-7 μM. The NMR- and computational docking-based outcomes have strongly suggested that the flavonols interact with CCL2, comprising the N-terminal and β1- and β3-sheets. It has also been observed that the number of hydroxyl groups on the annular ring-B imposed a significant cumulative effect on the binding affinities of flavonols for CCL2 chemokine. Further, the binding surface of these flavonols to CCL2 orthologs was observed to be extensively overlapped with that of the receptor/GAG-binding surface, thus suggesting attenuation of CCL2-CCR2/GAG interactions in their presence. Considering the pivotal role of CCL2 during monocyte/macrophage trafficking and the immunomodulatory features of these flavonols, their direct interactions highlight the promising role of flavonols as nutraceuticals.

Diosmin Mitigates Cyclophosphamide Induced Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in Rat Model

The current study was designed to investigate the protective role of diosmin against cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Female Swiss albino rats received a single intraperitoneal dose of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) followed by 8 mg/kg/day for the next 15 consecutive days either alone or in combination with oral diosmin at 50 or 100 mg/kg. Histopathological examination of ovarian tissues, hormonal assays for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), assessment of the oxidative stress status, as well as measurement of the relative expression of miRNA-145 and its target genes [vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) and regulator of cell cycle (RGC32)] were performed. Diosmin treatment ameliorated the levels of E2, AMH, and oxidative stress markers. Additionally, both low and high diosmin doses significantly reduced the histopathological alterations and nearly preserved the normal ovarian reserve. MiRNA-145 expression was upregulated after treatment with diosmin high dose. miRNA-145 target genes were over-expressed after both low and high diosmin administration. Based on our findings, diosmin has a dose-dependent protective effect against cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian toxicity in rats.

Critical analysis of biophysicochemical parameters for qualitative improvement of phytogenic nanoparticles

Conventional chemical approaches for synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs) may restrict their applicability as they are not eco-friendly, energetically efficient and often involve toxic reducing/capping agents; but phytonanotechnology enabled the synthesis of safe, inexpensive, highly biocompatible NPs. In this regard, thorough understanding of green components and the modulatory effects of different reaction conditions on the physicochemical parameters of green synthesized NPs would be a prerequisite, which is not depicted elsewhere. This review critically analyzes the relevant reaction conditions from their mechanistic viewpoints in plant-based synthesis of NPs arising fundamental issues which need to be determined carefully. The size, stability and surface chemistry of phytogenic NPs may be fabricated as a function of multiple interconnected reaction parameters and the plant species used. The therapeutic potential of phytogenic NPs may depend on the plant species used; and so the meticulous understanding of physicochemical parameters and the family wise shorting of elite plant species may potentially benefit the theranostic future of plant-based NPs.

Soy-tomato enriched diet reduces inflammation and disease severity in a pre-clinical model of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a fibro-inflammatory syndrome in individuals who develop persistent pathological responses to parenchymal injury or stress. Novel therapeutic or dietary interventions that could lessen inflammation in this disease could significantly improve quality of life in patients with CP. Complex dietary foods like soy and tomatoes are composed of active metabolites with anti-inflammatory effects. Data from our group reports that bioactive agents in soy and tomatoes can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressive immune populations. Additionally, our team has developed a novel soy-tomato juice currently being studied in healthy individuals with no toxicities, and good compliance and bioavailability. Thus, we hypothesize that administration of a soy-tomato enriched diet can reduce inflammation and severity of CP. C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50 μg/kg caeurlein (7 hourly injections, twice weekly) for 6 weeks to induce CP. After 4 weeks of caerulein injections, mice were administered a control or a soy-tomato enriched diet for 2 weeks. Disease severity was measured via immunohistochemical analysis of pancreata measuring loss of acini, fibrosis, inflammation, and necrosis. Serum lipase and amylase levels were analyzed at the end of the study. Inflammatory factors in the serum and pancreas, and immune populations in the spleen of mice were analyzed by cytokine multiplex detection, qRT-PCR, and flow cytometry respectively. Infra-red (IR) sensing of mice was used to monitor spontaneous activity and distress of mice. Mice fed a soy-tomato enriched diet had a significantly reduced level of inflammation and severity of CP (p = 0.032) compared to mice administered a control diet with restored serum lipase and amylase levels (p < 0.05). Mice with CP fed a soy-tomato diet had a reduction in inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-5) and suppressive immune populations (myeloid-derived suppressor cells; MDSC) compared to control diet fed mice (p < 0.05). Infra-red sensing to monitor spontaneous activity of mice showed that soy-tomato enriched diet improved total activity and overall health of mice with CP (p = 0.055) and CP mice on a control diet were determined to spend more time at rest (p = 0.053). These pre-clinical results indicate that a soy-tomato enriched diet may be a novel treatment approach to reduce inflammation and pain in patients with CP.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Analgesic Activities of Aqueous Extract of Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H.J. Lam Bark

Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H.J. Lam is a multipurpose tree used by the Nepalese indigenous people for medicinal purposes such as rheumatism, asthma, and ulcer and other purposes such as cooking and lighting. However, there is no scientific evidence for the medicinal uses of this plant. The present study aimed to explore the phytochemical constituents, estimate the total phenolic content, evaluate antioxidant activity, and investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of aqueous extract of Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H.J. Lam bark (ADBB). Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The in vitro antioxidant activity was determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and nitric oxide radical scavenging assay. For the in vivo studies, the plant extract was given in three different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) to male albino Wistar rats. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies were carried out using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and the hot plate method, respectively. Results revealed the presence of different phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, and carbohydrates together with a considerable amount of phenolic compounds. Antioxidant assays indicated the potent antioxidant activity of the plant extracts. The higher dose of D. butyracea (200 mg/kg) exhibited a maximum and significant inhibition (53.20%) of rat hind paw edema volume at 4 h and showed a greater increment in latency time (12.15 ± 1.81 sec) in the hot plate test at 120 min. The present study demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic potential of ADBB, which supports its traditional medicinal use.

Metabolic Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for De Novo Production of Kaempferol

Kaempferol is a polyphenolic compound with various reported health benefits and thus harbors considerable potential for food-engineering applications. In this study, a high-yield kaempferol-producing cell factory was constructed by multiple strategies, including gene screening, elimination of the phenylethanol biosynthetic branch, optimizing the core flavonoid synthetic pathway, supplementation of precursor PEP/E4P, and mitochondrial engineering of F3H and FLS. A total of 86 mg/L of kaempferol was achieved in strain YL-4, to date the highest production titer in yeast. Furthermore, a coculture system and supplementation of surfactants were investigated, to relieve the metabolic burden as well as the low solubility/possible transport limitations of flavonoids, respectively. In the coculture system, the whole pathway was divided across two strains, resulting in 50% increased cell growth. Meanwhile, supplementation of Tween 80 in our engineered strains yielded 220 mg/L of naringenin and 200 mg/L of mixed flavonoids-among the highest production titer reported via de novo production in yeast.

[Common sense of diosmin administration in combined treatment of hemorrhoids]

Flavonoids are herbal medicines and widely used for chronic venous diseases and hemorrhoids. Flavonoid diosmin in both micronized and non-micronized form is a part of various drugs. According to literature data, flavonoids are able to reduce venous stasis, suppress local inflammation, improve venous tone and lymphatic outflow. It should be noted that biological models of in vivo trials have certain limitations while available data of different researches are contradictory. However, flavonoids were recommended for hemorrhoids in view of meta-analysis of 14 trials comparing flavonoids (diosmin, micronized purified flavonoid fraction and rutosides) with placebo in 1514 patients with hemorrhoids and Cochrane review of 24 randomized controlled trials (2,334 participants). These drugs should be administered as a part of complex therapy. At the same time, there is no conclusive evidence to prefer only one of these medicines. There are also no data confirming the benefits of daily dosage of 3000 mg per day of micronized fraction of flavonoids compared with 1800 mg of purified diosmin per day for treatment of acute hemorrhoids.

Food pyramid for subjects with chronic pain: foods and dietary constituents as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents

Emerging literature suggests that diet constituents may play a modulatory role in chronic pain (CP) through management of inflammation/oxidative stress, resulting in attenuation of pain. We performed a narrative review to evaluate the existing evidence regarding the optimum diet for the management of CP, and we built a food pyramid on this topic. The present review also describes the activities of various natural compounds contained in foods (i.e. phenolic compounds in extra-virgin olive oil (EVO)) listed on our pyramid, which have comparable effects to drug management therapy. This review included 172 eligible studies. The pyramid shows that carbohydrates with low glycaemic index should be consumed every day (three portions), together with fruits and vegetables (five portions), yogurt (125 ml), red wine (125 ml) and EVO; weekly: legumes and fish (four portions); white meat, eggs and fresh cheese (two portions); red or processed meats (once per week); sweets can be consumed occasionally. The food amounts are estimates based on nutritional and practical considerations. At the top of the pyramid there is a pennant: it means that CP subjects may need a specific customised supplementation (vitamin B12, vitamin D, n-3 fatty acids, fibre). The food pyramid proposal will serve to guide dietary intake with to the intent of alleviating pain in CP patients. Moreover, a targeted diet can also help to solve problems related to the drugs used to combat CP, i.e. constipation. However, this paper would be an early hypothetical proposal due to the limitations of the studies.

Kaempferol 7-O-β-D-glucoside isolated from the leaves of Cudrania tricuspidata inhibits LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators through inactivation of NF-κB, AP-1, and JAK-STAT in RAW 264.7 macrophages

Kaempferol 7-O-β-D-glucoside (KPG), a natural flavonol isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata, has been reported to exert anti-cancer effects; however, its anti-inflammatory effects have not yet been reported. In this study, we demonstrate the suppressive effect of KPG on the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. KPG downregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein level and iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 at the mRNA level in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, we elucidated the underlying molecular mechanism, demonstrating that KPG attenuated LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation by decreasing p65 nuclear translocation, inhibiting κBα (IκBα) phosphorylation/degradation and IκB kinaseα/β (IKKα/β) phosphorylation. KPG additionally reduced LPS-induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) activity by inhibiting c-Fos expression in the nucleus, though c-Jun was not affected. Furthermore, we revealed that KPG significantly abrogated the LPS-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 (Ser 727, Tyr 701) and STAT3 (Tyr 705) through inhibiting the phosphorylation of Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and JAK2, its upstream activating proteins. Taken together, our data suggest that KPG induces anti-inflammatory activity by blocking NF-κB, AP-1, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, thus suppressing inflammatory mediators.

Diosmin/essential oil combination for dermal photo-protection using a lipoid colloidal carrier

Solar irradiation induces skin inflammatory processes causing deleterious effects like premature ageing. In this study, the designed lipoid colloidal carrier (LCC) was loaded with Diosmin in combination with different essential oils, to be used as a topical photo-protective preparation. To investigate the ability of the essential oils to potentiate Diosmin effects, the Diosmin/essential oil-loaded LCCs (LCC2, LCC3 and LCC4) were compared to the Diosmin-loaded LCC (LCC1). The incorporated essential oils were those of Rosmarinus officinalis, Zingiber officinale or Vitis vinifera in LCC2, LCC3 and LCC4, respectively. All the LCCs had particle size (PS) values ranging from 121.1 to 144.3nm with uniform distribution and, zeta potential (Z) values around 30mV. Also, they all had high drug encapsulation efficiencies. LCC1 had the lowest anti-oxidant and in-vitro sun-blocking effect (p<0.05). In-vivo photo-protective studies showed that all the formulated LCCs had a skin protective effect when compared to the positive control (p<0.05); however LCC1 had the lowest anti-erythemal and anti-wrinkling effect. Histological studies proved the efficacy of the designed LCCs as skin anti-photoageing, with LCC1 showing the lowest anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkling effect, while LCC2 had the highest anti-wrinkling effect. These results indicated that the suggested Diosmin/essential oil combinations improved the anti-oxidant, sun-blocking and anti-photoageing effects of Diosmin. After one year of storage, the LCCs showed satisfactory physical stability. This study presents the designed LCCs as safe and effective nano-structured dermal care products containing 'all-natural' components.

Effects of quercetin on chronic constriction nerve injury in an experimental rat model

BACKGROUND

Flavonoids are popular substances in the literature, with proven effects on cardiovascular, neoplastic and neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidant effect is the most pronounced and studied one. Among thousands of flavonoids, quercetin (QUE) is a prototype with significant antioxidant effects. This study aims to demonstrate the effects of QUE in an experimental rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI).

METHOD

A two-level study was designed with 42 adult Wistar rats that were randomly assigned to different groups. In the first part, animals in sham, control, quercetin, morphine and gabapentine groups received chronic constriction injury to their sciatic nerves and received a single dose of QUE, morphine and gabapentine. In the second part, different dose regimens of QUE were administered to different groups of animals. Pre-injury and post-injury assessments for mechanical hypersensitivity, thermal sensitivity, locomotor activity and anxiety were recorded and statistical comparisons were performed between different groups.

RESULTS

Comparison of QUE with morphine and gabapentine has revealed significant effects of this agent in the current chronic constriction injury model. QUE was significantly superior to Gabapentine and morphine in terms of alleviating mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Additionally, pre-injury administration of QUE for 4 days demonstrated long-term effectiveness on mechanical hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary report the on effects of QUE in a chronic constriction injury model proved significant effects of the agent, which should be supplemented with different studies using different dose regimens.

Kaempferol and inflammation: From chemistry to medicine

Inflammation is an important process of human healing response, wherein the tissues respond to injuries induced by many agents including pathogens. It is characterized by pain, redness and heat in the injured tissues. Chronic inflammation seems to be associated with different types of diseases such as arthritis, allergies, atherosclerosis, and even cancer. In recent years natural product based drugs are considered as the novel therapeutic strategy for prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases. Among the different types of phyto-constituents present in natural products, flavonoids which occur in many vegetable foods and herbal medicines are considered as the most active constituent, which has the potency to ameliorate inflammation under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Kaempferol is a natural flavonol present in different plant species, which has been described to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties. Despite the voluminous literature on the anti-inflammatory effects of kaempferol, only very limited review articles has been published on this topic. Hence the present review is aimed to provide a critical overview on the anti-inflammatory effects and the mechanisms of action of kaempferol, based on the current scientific literature. In addition, emphasis is also given on the chemistry, natural sources, bioavailability and toxicity of kaempferol.

Pinocembrin inhibits matrix metalloproteinase expression in chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, affects millions of people worldwide. The degradation of extracellular matrix induced by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is an important cause of cartilage destruction. Pinocembrin (PB) is one of the primary flavonoids abundant in propolis and extracted as a pure compound. The protective effects of PB in OA have not been reported before. In this study, we found that PB inhibits the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 at both mRNA levels and protein levels in human chondrocytes. Importantly, the results of luciferase reporter assay indicated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) induced the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) was inhibited by the treatment with PB. It is also shown that TNF-α-induced p65 nuclear translocation was blocked by the treatment with PB. Mechanistically, PB treatment significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced phosphorylation and degradation of the NF-κB inhibitor IκBα in human chondrocytes. These results suggest a potential protective effect of PB in OA.

A physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model describing plasma concentrations of quercetin and its metabolites in rats

Biological activities of flavonoids in vivo are ultimately dependent on the systemic bioavailability of the aglycones as well as their metabolites. In the present study, a physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model was developed to predict plasma concentrations of the flavonoid quercetin and its metabolites and to tentatively identify the regiospecificity of the major circulating metabolites. The model was developed based on in vitro metabolic parameters and by fitting kinetic parameters to literature available in vivo data. Both exposure to quercetin aglycone and to quercetin-4'-O-glucoside, for which in vivo data were available, were simulated. The predicted plasma concentrations of different metabolites adequately matched literature reported plasma concentrations of these metabolites in rats exposed to 4'-O-glucoside. The bioavailability of aglycone was predicted to be very low ranging from 0.004%-0.1% at different oral doses of quercetin or quercetin-4'-O-glucoside. Glucuronidation was a crucial pathway that limited the bioavailability of the aglycone, with 95-99% of the dose being converted to monoglucuronides within 1.5-2.5h at different dose levels ranging from 0.1 to 50mg/kg bw quercetin or quercetin-4'-O-glucoside. The fast metabolic conversion to monoglucuronides allowed these metabolites to further conjugate to di- and tri-conjugates. The regiospecificity of major circulating metabolites was observed to be dose-dependent. As we still lack in vivo kinetic data for many flavonoids, the developed model has a great potential to be used as a platform to build PBK models for other flavonoids as well as to predict the kinetics of flavonoids in humans.

Diosmin alleviates retinal edema by protecting the blood-retinal barrier and reducing retinal vascular permeability during ischemia/reperfusion injury

Background and Purpose

Retinal swelling, leading to irreversible visual impairment, is an important early complication in retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Diosmin, a naturally occurring flavonoid glycoside, has been shown to have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects against I/R injury. The present study was performed to evaluate the retinal microvascular protective effect of diosmin in a model of I/R injury.

Methods

Unilateral retinal I/R was induced by increasing intraocular pressure to 110 mm Hg for 60 min followed by reperfusion. Diosmin (100 mg/kg) or vehicle solution was administered intragastrically 30 min before the onset of ischemia and then daily after I/R injury until the animals were sacrificed. Rats were evaluated for retinal functional injury by electroretinogram (ERG) just before sacrifice. Retinas were harvested for HE staining, immunohistochemistry assay, ELISA, and western blotting analysis. Evans blue (EB) extravasation was determined to assess blood–retinal barrier (BRB) disruption and the structure of tight junctions (TJ) was examined by transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Diosmin significantly ameliorated the reduction of b-wave, a-wave, and b/a ratio in ERG, alleviated retinal edema, protected the TJ structure, and reduced EB extravasation. All of these effects of diosmin were associated with increased zonular occluden-1 (ZO-1) and occludin protein expression and decreased VEGF/PEDF ratio.

Conclusions

Maintenance of TJ integrity and reduced permeability of capillaries as well as improvements in retinal edema were observed with diosmin treatment, which may contribute to preservation of retinal function. This protective effect of diosmin may be at least partly attributed to its ability to regulate the VEGF/PEDF ratio.

Diet and asthma: nutrition implications from prevention to treatment

Asthma is characterized by lung airway inflammation initiated and perpetuated by an inappropriate immune response, increased airway responsiveness, and variable airflow obstruction. In Western countries there has been a marked increase in asthma prevalence such that it has become a public health concern. It has been hypothesized that the increase may be due to changing antioxidant intake, increasing dietary ratio of n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and vitamin D deficiency (and supplementation). Observational studies have reported associations between asthma and dietary antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids, selenium, polyphenols, and fruit), PUFA, and vitamin D. However, supplementing the diets of adults with asthma with antioxidants and n-3 PUFA has minimal, if any, clinical benefit. Currently there is insufficient evidence to support the use of nutrient supplements to complement conventional treatment; however, results of ongoing studies are awaited, and additional research is required, particularly in children. Interest in the potential of dietary intervention during pregnancy to reduce the likelihood of childhood asthma has increased. A small number of cohort studies have highlighted associations between childhood asthma and reduced maternal intake of some nutrients (vitamin E, vitamin D, selenium, zinc, and PUFA) during pregnancy. Although vitamin D intervention studies during pregnancy are ongoing and two intervention studies suggest that dietary PUFA manipulation during pregnancy may be advantageous, further trials are needed to establish if modification of maternal nutrient intake during pregnancy can be used as a healthy, low cost, public health measure to reduce the prevalence of childhood asthma.

A novel approach for predicting P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) inhibition using molecular interaction fields

P-glycoprotein (Pgp or ABCB1) is an ABC transporter protein involved in intestinal absorption, drug metabolism, and brain penetration, and its inhibition can seriously alter a drug's bioavailability and safety. In addition, inhibitors of Pgp can be used to overcome multidrug resistance. Given this dual purpose, reliable in silico procedures to predict Pgp inhibition are of great interest. A large and accurate literature collection yielded more than 1200 structures; a model was then constructed using various molecular interaction field-based technologies, considering pharmacophoric features and those physicochemical properties related to membrane partitioning. High accuracy was demonstrated internally with two different validation sets and, moreover, using a number of molecules, for which Pgp inhibition was not experimentally available but was evaluated in-house. All of the validations confirmed the robustness of the model and its suitability to help medicinal chemists in drug discovery. The information derived from the model was rationalized as a pharmacophore for competitive Pgp inhibition.

Session 1: Allergic disease: Nutrition as a potential determinant of asthma

Asthma is characterised by chronic lung airway inflammation, increased airway responsiveness and variable airflow obstruction. In Westernised countries asthma is a public health concern because of its prevalence, associated ill health and high societal and healthcare costs. In recent decades there has been a marked increase in asthma prevalence, particularly in Westernised countries. It has been proposed that changing diet has contributed to the increase in asthma. Several dietary hypotheses exist; the first relates the increase in asthma to declining dietary antioxidant intake, the second to decreased intake of long-chain n-3 PUFA and increasing intake of n-6 PUFA. Vitamin D supplementation and deficiency have also been hypothesised to have contributed to the increase in asthma. Observational studies have reported associations between asthma and dietary antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids, Se, flavonoids, fruit), lipids (PUFA, butter, margarine, fish) and vitamin D. However, supplementing the diets of adults with asthma with antioxidants and lipids has minimal, if any, clinical benefit. There is growing interest in the possibility that childhood asthma is influenced by maternal diet during pregnancy, with studies highlighting associations between childhood asthma and maternal intake of some nutrients (vitamin E, vitamin D, Se, PUFA) during pregnancy. It has been suggested that maternal diet during pregnancy influences fetal airway and/or immune development. Further intervention studies are needed to establish whether modification of maternal nutrient intake during pregnancy can be used as a healthy low-cost public health measure to reduce the prevalence of childhood asthma.

Quercetin: further investigation of its antinociceptive properties and mechanisms of action

The antinociceptive action of quercetin, a common bioactive flavonoid present in many medicinal plants, was assessed in different models of chemical and thermal nociception in mice. Quercetin (10-60 mg/kg, i.p. or 100-500 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently inhibited nociceptive behavior in the acetic acid-induced pain test. Moreover, quercetin (10-60 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited both phases of formalin-induced pain, with ID50 values of 374.1 (68.0-402.0) mmol/kg and 103.0 (45.0-201.0) mmol/kg, for the neurogenic and inflammatory phases, respectively. Quercetin (10-60 mg/kg) also inhibited the nociception induced by glutamate and capsaicin by 68.2% and 75.5%, respectively. Its analgesic action was significantly reversed by p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester, katanserin, methysergide, a GABA(A) antagonist (bicuculline), or a GABA(B) antagonists (baclofen). Its action was also modulated by tachykinins, but was not affected by adrenal-gland hormones. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effects did not result from muscle-relaxant or sedative action. Together, these results indicate that quercetin produces dose-related anti-nociception in several models of chemical pain, through mechanisms that involve interaction with L-arginine-nitric oxide, serotonin, and GABAergic systems. These results confirm and extend other investigations on the analgesic effect of quercetin and its mechanisms of action.

Genistein reduces the production of proinflammatory molecules in human chondrocytes

Previously, we reported that cartilage is an estrogen receptor (ER) positive tissue and that mRNA levels of ERbeta increase in postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis. Based on our findings and those of other investigators, we hypothesized that local rather than circulating estrogen levels negatively affect chondrocyte metabolism and that selective ER modulators (SERM) augment cartilage health. To test the latter part of our hypothesis, we explored the role of genistein, a naturally occurring SERM with high affinity to bind ERbeta, in inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in chondrocytes. Primary cultures of normal human chondrocytes were treated with three levels of genistein (0, 50, and 100 microM). After 1 h, the genistein-treated cells were stimulated by 1 microg/ml LPS for 24 h. Cells were then harvested, and the cytosolic fraction was isolated for assessment of COX-1 and COX-2 protein levels using Western analysis. Nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-I beta (IL-1beta), and human cartilage glycoprotein 39 (YKL-40) production was also measured in cell supernatants. NO and IL-1beta were measured as markers of inflammation, and YKL-40 was assessed as a marker of cartilage catabolism. Genistein had no significant effect on either YKL-40 or IL-1beta levels. Our data indicate that the LPS-stimulated increases in COX-2 protein level and NO in supernatant are reduced by pretreatment of genistein, whereas COX-1 protein level is not affected by genistein. The ability of genistein to suppress COX-2 but not COX-1 is advantageous because suppressing COX-2 can lead to suppression of proinflammatory molecules. Although genistein suppresses COX-2 production, it does not affect the production of COX-1 enzyme, which is responsible for releasing prostaglandins involved in cellular house-keeping functions such as the maintenance of gastrointestinal integrity and vascular homeostasis.

Comparison of two sample preconcentration strategies for the sensitivity enhancement of flavonoids found in Chinese herbal medicine in micellar electrokinetic chromatography with UV detection

Two on-column preconcentration techniques named stacking with reverse migrating micelles (SRMM) and anion selective electrokinetic injection and a water plug-sweeping with reverse migrating micelles (ASIW-sweep-RMM) were used and compared for concentration and separation of flavonoids in Chinese herbs using reverse migration micellar electrokinetic chromatography (RM-MEKC). The optimal background electrolyte (BGE) used for separation and preconcentration was a solution composed of 20mM phosphoric acid (H(3)PO(4))-100mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-20% (v/v) acetonitrile (ACN) buffer (pH 2.0), the applied voltage was -15kV. To achieve reasonable results of the two techniques, the conditions which affected preconcentration were examined. A comparison of used techniques with normal hydrodynamic injection (5s), concerning enhancement factors and limits of detection (LODs) was presented. Under the optimum stacking conditions, about 27-37- and 45-194-fold improvement in the detection sensitivity was obtained for SRMM and ASIW-sweep-RMM, respectively, compared to usual hydrodynamic sample injection (5s). The LODs (S/N=3) for SRMM and ASIW-sweep-RMM in terms of peak height, can reach down to 1.15 x 10(-2) microg/ml for hesperetin and 2.4 x 10(-3) microg/ml for nobiletin, respectively. Finally, the amounts of the six flavonoids in extract of Fructus aurantii Immaturus were successfully determined using ASIW-sweep-RMM. The six analytes were baseline separated with sample matrix under the optimum ASIW-sweep-RMM conditions and the experimental results showed that preconcentration was well achieved after the dilution of sample solutions.

The effect of citrus flavonoids on the redox state of alimentary-induced fatty liver in rats

Both chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and fatty liver may develop at the same time. Hesperidin and diosmin are used for the treatment CVI. There is no information, however, on the effect of these flavonoids in the redox state of fatty liver. In this study, male Wistar albino rats were fed a lipid-rich diet with or without 450 mg diosmin-50 mg hesperidin-containing drug (60 mg kg(-1) body weight/day, per os) for 9 days to determine the impact of treatment on antioxidant defence system of the fatty liver. We detected free SH-group concentration (SHC), hydrogen-donating ability (HDA), and natural scavenger capacity were decreased and hepatic malonaldehyde content and dien conjugate (DC) content in rats with fatty liver were increased compared to the control. After treatment in fatty liver, these parameters (except DC) significantly improved and approached the control value. Our results indicate that diosmin-hesperidin-containing drug may be a useful agent in improving the antioxidant defensive system in alimentary-induced fatty liver disease.

Long-term ingestion of high flavanol cocoa provides photoprotection against UV-induced erythema and improves skin condition in women

Dietary antioxidants contribute to endogenous photoprotection and are important for the maintenance of skin health. In the present study, 2 groups of women consumed either a high flavanol (326 mg/d) or low flavanol (27 mg/d) cocoa powder dissolved in 100 mL water for 12 wk. Epicatechin (61 mg/d) and catechin (20 mg/d) were the major flavanol monomers in the high flavanol drink, whereas the low flavanol drink contained 6.6 mg epicatechin and 1.6 mg catechin as the daily dose. Photoprotection and indicators of skin condition were assayed before and during the intervention. Following exposure of selected skin areas to 1.25 x minimal erythemal dose (MED) of radiation from a solar simulator, UV-induced erythema was significantly decreased in the high flavanol group, by 15 and 25%, after 6 and 12 wk of treatment, respectively, whereas no change occurred in the low flavanol group. The ingestion of high flavanol cocoa led to increases in blood flow of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues, and to increases in skin density and skin hydration. Skin thickness was elevated from 1.11 +/- 0.11 mm at wk 0 to 1.24 +/- 0.13 mm at wk 12; transepidermal water loss was diminished from 8.7 +/- 3.7 to 6.3 +/- 2.2 g/(h x m2) within the same time frame. Neither of these variables was affected in the low flavanol cocoa group. Evaluation of the skin surface showed a significant decrease of skin roughness and scaling in the high flavanol cocoa group compared with those at wk 12. Dietary flavanols from cocoa contribute to endogenous photoprotection, improve dermal blood circulation, and affect cosmetically relevant skin surface and hydration variables.

Inhibitory effect of dietary phenolic compounds on Chlamydia pneumoniae in cell cultures

Chlamydial infections are very common worldwide. All chlamydial species have a tendency to cause persistent infections, which have been associated to several chronic diseases including blinding trachoma, infertility and coronary heart disease (CHD). At present, no efficient treatment for the eradication of chronic chlamydial infections exists and, thus, new antichlamydial compounds are urgently needed. This study was designed to screen antichlamydial activity of natural flavonoids and other natural and structurally similar synthetic compounds against Chlamydia pneumoniae in human cell line (HL). HL cells were infected with C. pneumoniae and incubated 72 h with studied compounds. Reduction in the number of inclusions was determined with immunofluorescence staining. In vitro minimum inhibitory concentration was also determined for some of the most active compounds. Thirty seven percentage of the studied compounds (57 in total) were highly active against C. pneumoniae and all the studied compounds were non-toxic to the host cells at studied concentrations. Our study revealed direct antichlamydial effect for selected polyphenolic compounds against C. pneumoniae, in vitro. We also demonstrated the ability of some of the investigated compounds to accumulate inside cells or into cell membranes and cause inhibition, even when present only prior to infection.

Soy protein may alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms

Alternative and complementary therapeutic approaches, such as the use of a wide array of herbal, nutritional, and physical manipulations, are becoming popular for relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). The present study evaluated the efficacy of soy protein (SP) supplementation in relieving the pain and discomfort associated with OA. One hundred and thirty-five free-living individuals (64 men and 71 women) with diagnosed OA or with self-reported chronic knee joint pain not attributed to injury or rheumatoid arthritis were recruited for this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study. Study participants were assigned randomly to consume 40 g of either supplemental SP or milk-based protein (MP) daily for 3 months. Pain, knee range of motion, and overall physical activity were evaluated prior to the start of treatment and monthly thereafter. Serum levels of glycoprotein 39 (YKL-40), a marker of cartilage degradation, and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a growth factor associated with cartilage synthesis, were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. Overall, SP improved OA-associated symptoms such as range of motion and several factors associated with pain and quality of life in comparison to MP. However, these beneficial effects were mainly due to the effect of SP in men rather than women. Biochemical markers of cartilage metabolism further support the efficacy of SP in men as indicated by a significant increase in serum level of IGF-I and a significant decrease in serum level of YKL-40 compared to MP. This study is the first to provide evidence of possible beneficial effects of SP in the management of OA. Examining and verifying the long-term effects of SP on improving symptoms of OA, particularly in men, is warranted.

The regulation of rhinovirus infection in vitro by IL-8, HuIFN-alpha, and TNF-alpha

The influence of three important cytokines (IL-8, TNF-alpha, and HuIFN-alpha) on ongoing rhinovirus infections has been examined in vitro, individually or as combinations. TNF-alpha was able to transform traces of HRV infections into full-blown infections. Furthermore, TNF-alpha was able to down-regulate the antiviral action of HuIFN-alpha completely, even at levels of just a few pg/ml. This suggests that the induction of TNF-alpha by HRV may be part of the virus's strategy to minimize the interferon response which is part of the host's immune defence system. However, troxerutin (a flavonoid) was able to neutralize the downregulatory action of TNF-alpha on the HuIFN-alpha system at low levels and re-establish the antiviral activity ascribed to IFN-alpha. IL-8 exerted a minor influence on the interferon system, and had no influence on rhinovirus infections. The in vitro findings are supported, in part, by recent in vivo findings in a common cold pilot study.

MICRONIZATION ENHANCES THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PURIFIED FLAVONOID FRACTION AGAINST POSTISCHAEMIC MICROVASCULAR INJURY IN THE HAMSTER CHEEK POUCH

1. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of micronization on the protective effect of the purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) on increases in macromolecular permeability induced by ischaemia-reperfusion in the hamster cheek pouch microcirculation. 2. Male hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were treated orally, twice a day, with vehicle (lactose), MPFF and non-micronized purified flavonoid fraction (PFF) at 5, 20, 80 and 320 mg/kg per day for 10 consecutive days. On the 11th day, cheek pouches of anaesthetized animals were prepared for intravital microscopy. 3. Local ischaemia was obtained by clamping the neck of the everted pouch and the increase in microvascular permeability was quantified as leakage (leaks) of intravenously injected fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled dextran (FITC-dextran 150; MW = 150 000). 4. Reperfusion, after 30 min ischaemia, resulted in an immediate but reversible increase in post-capillary leakage. The MPFF induced a significant dose-related reduction in the increased permeability, with 83.4% inhibition compared with control at 320 mg/kg per day (19.2 +/- 1.9 vs 115.7 +/- 4.1 leaks/cm2; P < 0.0001). Non-micronized PFF was significantly less effective: only 47.9% inhibition compared with control was observed at 320 mg/kg per day (60.3 +/- 1.0 vs 115.7 +/- 4.1 leaks/cm2; P < 0.0001) and there was no dose-effect relationship. 5. In conclusion, micronization significantly enhances the protective effects of the purified flavonoid fraction on reperfusion injury in the hamster cheek pouch. This improvement is likely to be related to the better absorption of the micronized formulation, which could explain the superior clinical efficacy shown in previous studies.

Flavonoids-potent and versatile biologically active compounds interacting with cytochromes P450

Flavonoids represent a group of phytochemicals exhibiting a wide range of biological activities arising mainly from their antioxidant properties and ability to modulate several enzymes or cell receptors. Flavonoids have been recognized to exert anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity, anti-inflammatory, anti-angionic, analgesic, anti-allergic effects, hepatoprotective, cytostatic, apoptotic, estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties. However, not all flavonoids and their actions are necessarily beneficial. Some flavonoids have mutagenic and/or prooxidant effects and can also interfere with essential biochemical pathways. Among the proteins that interact with flavonoids, cytochromes P450 (CYPs), monooxygenases metabolizing xenobiotics (e.g. drugs, carcinogens) and endogenous substrates (e.g. steroids), play a prominent role. Flavonoid compounds influence these enzymes in several ways: flavonoids induce the expression of several CYPs and modulate (inhibit or stimulate) their metabolic activity. In addition, some CYPs participate in metabolism of flavonoids. Flavonoids enhance activation of carcinogens and/or influence the metabolism of drugs via induction of specific CYPs. On the other hand, inhibition of CYPs involved in carcinogen activation and scavenging reactive species formed from carcinogens by CYP-mediated reactions can be beneficial properties of various flavonoids. Flavonoids show an estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity owing to the structural similarity with the estrogen skeleton. Mimicking natural estrogens, they bind to estrogen receptor and modulate its activity. They also block CYP19, a crucial enzyme involved in estrogen biosynthesis. Flavonoids in human diet may reduce the risk of various cancers, especially hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancers, as well preventing menopausal symptoms. For these reasons the structure-function relationship of flavonoids is extensively studied to provide an inspiration for a rational drug and/or chemopreventive agent design of future pharmaceuticals.

Supplementation of the black rice outer layer fraction to rabbits decreases atherosclerotic plaque formation and increases antioxidant status

The influence of the supplementation of black and white rice outer layer fractions on atherosclerotic plaque formation induced by hypercholesterolemia was investigated in rabbits. Male rabbits (n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups. They were fed nonpurified diet (normal group), a lard (3.5 g/100 g) with high cholesterol (0.5 g/100 g) diet (HC group); the HC diet with 5 g/100 g white rice outer layer fraction (WRF group); or the HC diet with 5 g/100 g black rice outer layer fraction (BRF) for 2 mo. Blood samples were collected for determination of lipid concentration and oxidative and antioxidative status variables, and aortae were taken for the assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. The atherosclerotic plaque area in rabbits fed the BRF diet was 66% lower than that of the HC or WRF rabbits (P < 0.001). Supplementation of the black rice outer layer significantly (P < 0.05) lowered aortic 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) (-52%, -44%) compared with the WRF or HC diets (P < 0.05). There were no differences in aortic 8-OHdG levels between rabbits fed the BRF and normal diets. The BRF diet significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level of serum (-37%) and aortic artery (-50%) compared with the WRF diet. There were no differences in the concentrations of serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-C or the ratio of apoprotein (apo)I/apoB among the HC, WRF and BRF groups. Similarly, there were no differences in the serum vitamin E concentration and erythrocyte and aorta superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities among rabbits fed these diets. The serum concentration of most fatty acids except 18:1 did not differ between the WRF and the BRF groups. We conclude that the inhibition of atherosclerotic plaque formation derived from the black rice outer layer fraction in rabbits might be mediated by antioxidative or anti-inflammatory effects.