Olive Leaf Extract, from Olea europaea L., Reduces Palmitate-Induced Inflammation via Regulation of Murine Macrophages Polarization

Response of laying hens fed diet supplemented with a mixture of olive, laurel, and rosemary leaf powders: Metabolic profile, oxidative status, intestinal histomorphology, and egg quality

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mixture of olive, laurel, and rosemary leaf powders, on the oxidative state, biochemical, immune, intestinal morphophysiological parameters, and egg quality of laying hens. One hundred Lohmann Brown hens (28 weeks old) were equally assigned to two groups (n. 50) corresponding to a basal control diet (CON) or the diet supplemented with 6 g/kg feed of leaf powder mixture (LPM) containing olive, laurel, and rosemary leaves (1:1:1), for 60 days. Oxidative status, biochemical indices, immune response, cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), intestinal morphological characteristics, and some egg traits were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that LPM improved (P < 0.05) the oxidative status (TOS, ROMs), the immune system (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), the total protein and HDL cholesterol content, whereas it decreased (P < 0.05) total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the LPM than in the CON group. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in SCFA content in the caecum, as well as in villi height and crypt depth in both duodenum and ileum of LPM-treated hens, was observed. Egg quality parameters were not influenced (P > 0.05) by LPM. These findings indicate that LPM can be considered a candidate as an antioxidant ingredient for functional food in laying hens.

Natural Chalcones for the Management of Obesity Disease

In the last decade, the incidence of obesity has increased dramatically worldwide, reaching a dangerous pandemic spread. This condition has serious public health implications as it significantly increases the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. The treatment of obesity is therefore the greatest health challenge of our time. Conventional therapeutic treatment of obesity is based on the use of various synthetic molecules belonging to the class of appetite suppressants, lipase inhibitors, hormones, metabolic regulators, and inhibitors of intestinal peptide receptors. The long-term use of these molecules is generally limited by various side effects and tolerance. For this reason, the search for natural alternatives to treat obesity is a current research goal. This review therefore examined the anti-obesity potential of natural chalcones based on available evidence from in vitro and animal studies. In particular, the results of the main in vitro studies describing the principal molecular therapeutic targets and the mechanism of action of the different chalcones investigated were described. In addition, the results of the most relevant animal studies were reported. Undoubtedly, future clinical studies are urgently needed to confirm and validate the potential of natural chalcones in the clinical prophylaxis of obesity.

Comparative Study of the Efficacy of EHO-85, a Hydrogel Containing Olive Tree (Olea europaea) Leaf Extract, in Skin Wound Healing

Olive tree (Olea europaea) leaf extract (OELE) has important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting its use in human clinical practice. We recently designed an amorphous hydrogel called EHO-85 (EHO indicates olive leaf extract in Spanish) containing OELE for skin ulcer treatments. Yet, its effectiveness has not been previously compared with other products used in routine clinical practice. This is necessary to evaluate its potential translation to the human clinic. Thus, in this study, the effect of EHO-85 on healing was evaluated in comparison with treatments containing Indian/Asiatic pennywort (Centella asiatica), hyaluronic acid, or dexpanthenol in a rat model. The speed of wound closure and histological parameters after seven and 14 days were analyzed. All treatments accelerated wound closure, but there were differences between them. Dexpanthenol after seven days produced the highest epithelialization and the lowest inflammation and vascularization. EHO-85 also promoted epithelialization and reduced vascularization. After 14 days, wounds treated with EHO-85 showed less inflammation and higher levels of collagen in the extracellular matrix. This indicates a higher degree of maturity in the regenerated tissue. In conclusion, the effect of EHO-85 on healing was equal to or superior to that of other treatments routinely used in human clinical practice. Therefore, these results, together with previous data on the effects of this hydrogel on ulcer healing in humans, indicate that EHO-85 is a suitable, low-cost, and efficient therapeutic option for wound healing.

Olea europaea L. leaf extract mitigates oxidative and histological damage in rat heart tissue exposed to combined noise and toluene: An experimental study

In many occupational settings, workers are frequently exposed to toluene and noise. However, the individual and combined effects of these exposures on the cardiovascular system have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of simultaneous exposure to toluene and noise on the rat heart, while also evaluating the potential preventive effect of olive leaf extract (OLE). Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 6/group): control group (C), control group that received OLE (C + OLE), group exposed to noise (N), group exposed to noise and receiving OLE (N + OLE), group exposed to toluene (T), group exposed to toluene and receiving OLE (T + OLE), group co-exposed to noise and toluene (NT), and group co-exposed to noise and toluene and receiving OLE (NT + OLE). The rats in this study were subjected to simultaneous exposure to toluene and noise for a duration of six weeks, within a custom-built plexiglass chamber. Toluene was administered at a concentration of 300 ppm, while the noise level was set to 85 dB(A). The exposure chamber was equipped with a generation system, an exposure system, and a monitoring system, ensuring precise and accurate exposure conditions. After the six-week period, heart and blood samples were collected from the rats for subsequent analysis. Plasma levels of cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) were measured, and histopathological investigation was conducted using HE staining. Additionally, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in heart tissue were measured. Our results showed that simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene altered CHOL, TG, LDH, and CK levels, and also caused an increase in lipid peroxidation levels and superoxide dismutase activity, along with a decrease in catalase activity in the heart. A significant alteration in the myocardium was also observed. However, treatment with OLE was found to modulate these oxidative and histological changes, ultimately correcting the deleterious effects induced by the combined exposure to noise and toluene. Therefore, our study suggests that OLE could be a potential preventive measure for individuals exposed to toluene and noise in industrial settings.

Chamomile essential oils exert anti-inflammatory effects involving human and murine macrophages: Evidence to support a therapeutic action

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chamomile (M. chamomilla L.) is an herbaceous plant from family Astereaceae, that has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It has been used as herbal remedies for thousands of years to treat several diseases, including infections, neuropsychiatric, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and liver disorders. Chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of most infectious and non-infectious diseases and macrophages are considered the major cellular players that drive disease initiation and maintenance.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation in the chemical profile of the essential oil of M. chamomilla plants collected in three experimental field sites in the Molise region. Additionally, we evaluated the pharmacological mechanism behind the anti-inflammatory effect of M. chamomilla essential oils.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three essential oils (called GC1, GC2 and GC3) were extracted from aerial parts of M. chamomilla by hydrodistillation and chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils were tested for their ability to modulate pro-inflammatory murine macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) functions.

RESULTS

The chemical analysis of the samples revealed the presence of a high content of the oxygenated sesquiterpenes that represented more than the half of the entire oils. GC1, GC2 and GC3 essential oils significantly attenuated LPS/IFN-γ-induced inflammation by reducing M1 polarization. In details, they showed significant anti-inflammatory property by inhibiting NO, TNF-α and IL-6 production. These effects were correlated to a suppression of LPS-mediated p65 activation, the critical transactivation subunit for NF-κB transcription factor. Oxidative stress may trigger macrophages activation and elicit strong immune responses. Our study demonstrated that GC1, GC2 and GC3 were highly effective at increasing GCL and HMOX-1 anti-oxidant enzymes expression leading to the rapid scavenging of ROS. The antioxidant activity of these oils was explained throughout the activation of NRF2 signaling pathway. Next, we demonstrated that essential oils were able to reduce CD4⁺ T cell activation which are also involved in inflammatory processes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data describe for the first time that chamomile essential oils exerted their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity by modulating macrophages and CD4⁺ T cells-mediate immune response.

Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) as a Novel Antioxidant That Ameliorates the Inflammatory Response in Cystic Fibrosis

The deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (F508del) produces a misfolded CFTR protein that is retained in the ER and degraded. The lack of normal CFTR channel activity is associated with chronic infection and inflammation which are the primary causes of declining lung function in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. Moreover, LPS-dependent oxidative stress downregulates CFTR function in airway epithelial cells. Olive leaf extract (OLE) is used in traditional medicine for its effects, including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory ones. We found that OLE decreased the intracellular ROS levels in a dose-response manner in CFBE cells. Moreover, OLE attenuates the inflammatory response to LPS or IL-1β/TNFα stimulation, mimicking the infection and inflammatory status of CF patients, in CFBE and primary nasal epithelial (HNE) cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that OLE restored the LPS-mediated decrease of TrikfaftaTM-dependent F508del-CFTR function in CFBE and HNE cultures. These findings provide strong evidence of OLE to prevent redox imbalance and inflammation that can cause chronic lung damage by enhancing the antioxidant activity and attenuating inflammation in CF airway epithelial cells. Additionally, OLE might be used in combination with CFTR modulators therapy to improve their efficacy in CF patients.

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of eucalyptol rich Eucalyptus globulus essential oil alone and in combination with flurbiprofen

Inflammation is the core contributor in the pathogenesis of various acute and chronic illness including appendicitis, bronchitis, arthritis, cancer and neurological diseases. NSAIDs, commonly used medications for inflammatory diseases, on prolonged use cause GI bleeding, ulcers and many more issues. Plant-based therapeutic agents including essential oils in combination with low-dose synthetic drugs have been shown to produce synergistic effects and reduce complications of synthetic drugs. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic properties of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil alone and in combination with flurbiprofen. GC-MS analysis was performed to screen chemical composition of oil. In vitro anti-inflammatory assay (membrane stabilization assay) and in vivo inflammatory acute (carrageenan and histamine-induced paw oedema) and chronic (cotton pellet-induced granuloma and Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis) models were performed to check anti-inflammatory properties. Acetic acid-induced algesia and yeast-induced pyrexia models were performed to check analgesic and anti-pyretic properties. qRT-PCR was performed to study the effect of treatments on the expression of inflammatory biomarkers. GC-MS analysis of E. globulus essential oil showed the presence of eucalyptol along with other active biomolecules. 500 + 10 mg/kg of oil-drug combination showed significantly (p < 0.05) better in vitro membrane stabilization effects as compared with groups treated with 500 mg/kg of E. globulus oil and 10 mg/kg of Flurbiprofen alone. 500 + 10 mg/kg of oil-drug combination showed significantly (p < 0.05) better anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects as compared to 500 mg/kg of E. globulus oil alone in all in vivo models. When comparison was done between 500 + 10 mg/kg of oil-drug combination-treated and 10 mg/kg Flurbiprofen-treated group, the former group showed significantly (p < 0.05) better anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects, but there were non-significant differences in the analgesic model. Animal group treated with 10 mg/kg of Flurbiprofen showed significantly (p < 0.05) better anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects than group treated with 500 mg/kg of oil alone while, there were non-significant differences in anti-pyretic effects. qRT-PCR analysis showed significant (p < 0.05) down-regulation in the expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in serum samples of animals treated with 500 + 10 mg/kg of oil-drug combination as compared to the diseased control (arthritic) group. Overall, the current research demonstrates that Eucalyptus globulus essential oil in combination with flurbiprofen showed better anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic effects than oil and flurbiprofen alone which is attributed to the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-4 and TNF-α). Further studies are required to formulate a stable dosage form and to check the anti-inflammatory efficacy in different inflammatory disorders.

Efficacy of a Multicomponent Nutraceutical Formulation for the Prevention and Treatment of Urinary Tract Stones

Urolithiasis is a complex and multifactorial disease characterized by the formation of calculi at the urinary tract level. Conventional therapeutic prophylaxis relies on the use of Ca-blockers, alkalis, diuretics, and anti-edema agents, but their prolonged utilization is often limited by several side effects. In this scenario, the aim of the present work was the design of an innovative multi-component nutraceutical formulation (NF) for the management of urinary stones consisting of a synergistic combination of natural aqueous extracts of Oreganum vulgare L. (1% of saponin), Urtica dioica (0.8% of β-sitosterol), Phyllanthus niruri (15% of tannins w/w), and Ceterach officinarum in association with bromelain, K, and Mg citrate. To assess the potential of NF also in the treatment of uric acid (UA) stones, the effects on the expression of the cellular UA transporters OAT1 and URAT1 were investigated in a renal tubular cell line. In addition, the myorelaxant effect of NF was investigated in a human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (HPASMC) model resulting in a decreased muscle contractility of -49.4% (p < 0.01) compared to the control. The treatment with NF also showed a valuable inhibition of in vitro calcium-oxalate crystal formation, both in prevention (-52.3% vs. control, p < 0.01) and treatment (-70.8% vs. control, p < 0.01) experiments. Finally, an ischemic reperfusion rat model was used to evaluate the NF anti-edema effects, resulting in a reduction in the edema-related vascular permeability (Normalized Gray Levels, NGL = 0.40 ± 0.09, p < 0.01, -67.1% vs. untreated rats). In conclusion, the present NF has shown to be a promising natural alternative for managing urinary tract stones.

Molecular Mechanisms of the Protective Effects of Olive Leaf Polyphenols against Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the cause of around 60-70% of global cases of dementia and approximately 50 million people have been reported to suffer this disease worldwide. The leaves of olive trees (Olea europaea) are the most abundant by-products of the olive grove industry. These by-products have been highlighted due to the wide variety of bioactive compounds such as oleuropein (OLE) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) with demonstrated medicinal properties to fight AD. In particular, the olive leaf (OL), OLE, and HT reduced not only amyloid-β formation but also neurofibrillary tangles formation through amyloid protein precursor processing modulation. Although the isolated olive phytochemicals exerted lower cholinesterase inhibitory activity, OL demonstrated high inhibitory activity in the cholinergic tests evaluated. The mechanisms underlying these protective effects may be associated with decreased neuroinflammation and oxidative stress via NF-κB and Nrf2 modulation, respectively. Despite the limited research, evidence indicates that OL consumption promotes autophagy and restores loss of proteostasis, which was reflected in lower toxic protein aggregation in AD models. Therefore, olive phytochemicals may be a promising tool as an adjuvant in the treatment of AD.

Updated Organic Composition and Potential Therapeutic Properties of Different Varieties of Olive Leaves from Olea europaea

Olea europaea L. folium merits further exploration of the potential of its substrates for therapeutic supplements. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on samples of Madural, Verdeal, and Cobrançosa elementary leaves and leaf sprouts (mamões) collected in the region of Valpaços, Portugal. Organic analysis assessed the moisture content, total carbohydrates, ash, protein, and fat contents, total phenolic content (TPC), vitamin E, and fatty acid (FA) profiles. Moisture content was determined through infrared hygrometry and TPC was determined by a spectrophotometric method. Concerning organic analysis, all leaf samples showed similar moisture content, though Cobrançosa's leaf sprouts and Verdeal's elementary leaves had slightly lower contents. Meanwhile, these cultivars also showed a higher TPC, α-tocopherol isomer, and fatty acid composition (FAC). FAC in all samples exhibited higher contents of PUFA and SFA than MUFA, with a predominance of linolenic and palmitic acids. Organic analyses of Cobrançosa's leaf sprouts and Verdeal's elementary leaf extracts allow for the prediction of adequate physiological properties regarding neuroinflammatory, neurobehavioral, metabolic, cardiovascular, osteo-degenerative, anti-ageing, pulmonary, and immunological defense disorders. These physiological changes observed in our preliminary in silico studies suggest an excellent nutraceutical, which should be borne in mind during severe pandemic situations.

Nocellara Del Belice (Olea europaea L. Cultivar): Leaf Extract Concentrated in Phenolic Compounds and Its Anti-Inflammatory and Radical Scavenging Activity

Olea europaea L. is a plant belonging to the Oleaceae family, widely grown around the Mediterranean Basin and its leaves are a source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. Among these, oleuropein and luteolin-7-O-glucoside represent two major polyphenolic compounds in olive-leaf extract. Herein, a polystyrene resin was used to recover the polyphenolic fraction from the acetone-water leaf extract from Nocellara del Belice cultivar, which showed the higher level of analysed bioactive compounds, compared to Carolea cultivar. The antioxidant activity of the extract concentrated in phenolic compounds (OLECp) was evaluated through a classical assay and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) for DPPH and hydroxyl radicals scavenging. Thus, the anti-inflammatory activity and the potential beneficial effects in reducing lipid accumulation in an in vitro model of NAFLD using McA-RH7777 cells exposed to oleic acid (OA) were evaluated. Nile Red and Oil Red O have been used to stain the lipid accumulation, while the inflammatory status was assessed by Cytokines Bioplex Assay. OLECp (TPC: 92.93 ± 9.35 mg GAE/g, TFC: 728.12 ± 16.04 mg RE/g; 1 g of extract contains 315.250 mg of oleuropein and 17.44 mg of luteolin-7-O-glucoside) exerted a good radical scavenging capability (IC₅₀: 2.30 ± 0.18 mg/mL) with a neutralizing power against DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, as confirmed by the decreased signal area of the EPR spectra. Moreover, OLECp at concentration of 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL counteracted the intracellular inflammatory status, as result of decreased intracellular lipid content. Our results highlighted the multiple properties and applications of an O. europaea extract concentrated in polyphenols, and the possibility to formulate novel nutraceuticals with antioxidant properties, destined to ameliorate human health.

Metabolomics Approach to Characterize Green Olive Leaf Extracts Classified Based on Variety and Season

The huge interest in the health-related properties of plant polyphenols to be applied in food and health-related sectors has brought about the development of sensitive analytical methods for metabolomic characterization. Olive leaves constitute a valuable waste rich in polyphenols with functional properties. A (HR)LC-ESI-ORBITRAP-MS analysis with a multivariate statistical analysis approach using PCA and/or PLS-DA projection methods were applied to identify polyphenols in olive leaf extracts of five varieties from the Apulia region (Italy) in two different seasonal times. A total of 26 metabolites were identified, further finding that although metabolites are common among the different cultivars, they differ in the relative intensity of each peak and within each cultivar in the two seasonal periods taken into consideration. The results of the total phenol contents showed the highest content in November for Bambina and Cima di Mola varieties (1816 and 1788 mg/100 g, respectively), followed by Coratina, Leccino, and Cima di Melfi; a similar trend was found for the antioxidant activity and RapidOxy evaluations by reaching in Bambina values of 45 mmol TE/100 g and 85 min of induction time.

Olive leaf extract inhibits metastatic melanoma spread through suppression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Olive tree leaves are an abundant source of bioactive compounds with several beneficial effects for human health, including a protective role against many types of cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of an extract, obtained from olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaves (OLE), on proliferation, invasion, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) on metastatic melanoma, the highly aggressive form of skin cancer and the deadliest diseases. Our results demonstrated that OLE inhibited melanoma cells proliferation through cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptotic cell death. Moreover, OLE suppressed the migration, invasion, and colonies formation of human melanoma cells. Similar to our in vitro findings, we demonstrated that the oral administration of OLE inhibited cutaneous tumor growth and lung metastasis formation in vivo by modulating the expression of EMT related factors. In addition, the anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects of OLE against melanoma were also related to a simultaneous targeting of mitogen-activated protein kinase and PI3K pathways, both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our findings suggest that OLE has the potential to inhibit the metastatic spread of melanoma cells thanks to its multifaceted mechanistic effects, and may represent a new add-on therapy for the management of metastatic melanoma.

A research paper on the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities of olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaf

Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaf is known to have a number of bioactive properties being antioxidant, antihypertensive, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral and antimicrobial. In this study, the immunomodulatory roles of Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaf against oxidative damage caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated. In the study, four groups were formed; namely, (i) Control Group: Yeast only planted group; (ii) CCl4 Group: Group given CCl4 (15 mM); (iii) Olive Tree Leaf Group: The group given olive tree leaf (10%); and (iv) Olive Tree Leaf + CCl4 Group: Olive tree leaf (10%) + CCl4 (15 mM) given group. Cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were grown at 30 °C for 1, 3, 5, and 24 hours. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione levels (GSH), cell growth and catalase (CAT) activity measurements were determined by spectrophotometer. Total protein concentrations were determined by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and the Bradford protein method. According to the results obtained; compared to the CCl4 group, cell growth (1, 3, 5 and 24 hours), total protein synthesis, and GSH and CAT activities (24 hours) increased in olive tree leaf groups, while MDA level (24 hours) decreased. Thanks to its strong bioactive properties, olive tree leaf has been found to increase cell growth and total protein synthesis by decreasing CCl4 induced oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture. It has been concluded that if the olive tree leaf is used regularly, it will be beneficial in eliminating many health problems.

Effects of Backfat Thickness on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation of Placenta in Large White Pigs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the backfat thickness of sows on reproductive performance and on lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. At farrowing, 60 sows were assigned to three groups: the low-backfat-thickness group (LBF, n = 20): sows’ backfat thickness was between 9 and 12 mm; the medium-backfat-thickness group (MBF, n = 20): sows’ backfat thickness was between 13 and 20 mm; and the high-backfat-thickness group (HBF, n = 20): sows’ backfat thickness was between 21 and 25 mm. Maternal and fetal blood and placental samples were collected. Compared with the LBF and HBF groups, the MBF group delivered a significantly greater number of live piglets than the LBF or HBF groups. The different backfat thicknesses of sows had different effects on the lipid-related hormones and adipokines of maternal and fetal serum and placenta. Sows with poor or excessive backfat displayed higher levels of oxidative stress and higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. According to these data, the thickness of a sow’s backfat affects the characteristics of farrowing piglets and their lipid metabolism, as well as placental inflammation, maternal inflammation, and oxidative stress. A moderate backfat thickness (between 13 and 20 mm) was associated with greater reproductive performance in sows.

Exploration of molecular mechanisms responsible for anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic attributes of methanolic extract of Viola betonicifolia

Uncontrolled inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Currently available anti-inflammatory agents on prolonged use may lead to ulcers or thrombus formation. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and anti-angiogenic potentials of methanol extract of Viola betonicifolia using battery of in vivo models. Methanol extract of Viola betonicifolia (Vb.Me) was prepared through maceration. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometery (GC-MS) were performed to identify bioactive compounds present in Vb.Me. In vivo safety profile of Vb.Me was evaluated following OECD 425 acute toxicity guidelines. Anti-inflammatory potential of Vb.Me at three different dose levels was evaluated in in vivo acute (carrageenan and, histamine-induced paw oedema), sub-chronic (cotton pellet-induced granuloma) and chronic (Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis) models. Blood and paws samples were collected to study effects of Vb.Me treatment on the expression of various pro- and anti-inflammatory genes (RT-PCR) and to study the histopathological changes at tissue levels. Effects of Vb.Me on neovasculature development were studied in ex-ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Quercetin and n-hexadecanoic were identified as one of the major bioactive molecules in HPLC and GC-MS analysis of Vb.Me. Toxicity data revealed that Vb.Me was safe for administration up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Findings of inflammatory models showed that Vb.Me produced time and dose-dependent effects. 500 mg/kg Vb.Me showed significantly (p < 0.05) better effects as compared with 125 and 250 mg/kg. 500 mg/kg Vb.Me also showed comparable anti-inflammatory effects with indomethacin in both acute and chronic models respectively. RT-PCR data exhibited significant (p < 0.05) down-regulation of IL-6, IL-1ß, NF-kß, TNF-α and COX-2 genes with simultaneous up-regulation of IL-4 and IL-10 genes in the blood samples of animals treated with 500 mg/kg of Vb.Me and 10 mg/kg of indomethacin respectively. CAM assay data revealed arrest of microvessel outgrowth in Vb.Me-treated eggs. Altogether, findings of the current study indicate that Vb.Me exerts in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects through regulation of expression of various pro- and anti-inflammatory genes. Synergist actions of various bioactive molecules in Vb.Me are proposed to be responsible for these attributes. However, further studies to standardize the extract and evaluation of its potential in various inflammation-induced diseases are warranted.

Protective effects of olive leaf extract against reproductive toxicity of the lead acetate in rats

Lead acetate (PbAc) is one of the toxic metals in the environment which causes many effects on different organs of the body. And due to the importance of the olive tree, with its healthy and protective elements against many diseases, the leaf extract of this tree was chosen in our study. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of olive leaf (Olea europea L.) extract (OLE) against PbAc-induced sperm toxicity, sex hormone changes, oxidative stress, and histopathological changes in rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (group 1, as control; group 2, OLE; group 3, PbAc; group 4, PbAc+OLE). In the PbAc group, the body weight, testis and epididymis weights, sexual hormones, sperm characteristics, GR, GPx, GST, GSH, SOD, and CAT were significantly decreased, and the sperm abnormality and TBARS level were significant increase when compared with control and OLE groups. Also, numerous damages to testicular tissue were observed in the PbAc group when compared to the control group, while the treatment with OLE in the fourth group led to improvement of sex hormones, semen characteristics, oxidative stress, and testicular tissue damage caused by PbAc. It can be concluded that OLE has a protective and ameliorative effects against PbAc-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and alterations in testicular tissue, and sperm quality in rats.

Recent advancement on development of drug-induced macrophage polarization in control of human diseases

Macrophages, an important part of human immune system, possess a high plasticity and heterogeneity (macrophage polarization) as classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2), which exert pro-inflammatory/anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory/pro-tumor effects, respectively. Thus, drug development in induction of macrophage polarization could be used to treat different human diseases. This review summarizes the recent advancement on modulation of macrophage polarization and its related molecular mechanisms induced by a number of agents. Research on the anti-inflammatory drugs to regulate the macrophage polarization accounts for a large proportion in the field and types of diseases investigated could include atherosclerosis, enteritis, nephritis, and the nervous system and skeletal diseases, while study of the anti-tumor agents to modify macrophage polarization is a novel area of research. Future study of the molecular mechanisms by which the different agents regulate the macrophage polarization could lead to an effective control of various human diseases, including inflammation and cancers.

Immunomodulatory Activity of Electrospun Polyhydroxyalkanoate Fiber Scaffolds Incorporating Olive Leaf Extract

Olive tree is a well-known source of polyphenols. We prepared an olive leaf extract (OLE) and characterized it via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. OLE was blended with different polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), namely, poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV) and polyhydroxybutyrate/poly(hydroxyoctanoate-co-hydroxydecanoate) (PHB/PHOHD), to produce fiber meshes via electrospinning: OLE/PHBV and OLE/ (PHB/PHOHD), respectively. An 80–90% (w/w%) release of the main polyphenols from the OLE/PHA fibers occurred in 24 h, with a burst release in the first 30 min. OLE and the produced fiber meshes were assayed using human dermal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) to evaluate the expression of a panel of cytokines involved in the inflammatory process and innate immune response, such as the antimicrobial peptide human beta defensin 2 (HBD-2). Fibers containing OLE were able to decrease the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines at 6 h up to 24 h. All the PHA fibers allowed an early downregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in 6 h, which is suggestive of a strong anti-inflammatory activity exerted by PHA fibers. Differently from pure OLE, PHB/PHOHD fibers (both with and without OLE) upregulated the expression of HBD-2. Our results showed that PHA fiber meshes are suitable in decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and the incorporation of OLE may enable indirect antibacterial properties, which is essential in wound healing and tissue regeneration.