2016

Gum arabic favourably influences the course of murine malaria.

Gum acacia, known as Gum Arabic in Oman is widely grown all over the tropical countries including Gulf region. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activit…

Gum arabic (GA) is a traditional herbal medicine from Acacia Senegal (L.) Willdenow trees, which consist of a complex mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins. It is used in daily applications for several diseases and is considered to protect against bacterial infections. The detailed mec …

The presence of pesticide residues in vegetable and fruit products, as a consequence of inappropriate application in some cases, constitutes a risk to the health of the exposed population. In Mexico, the official norm, NOM-003-STPS-1999, only allows the use of pesticides with the phytosanitary registry, the responsible state commission for the control of the process and use of pesticides and toxic substances, which recommends doses and permitted crops. Despite the above, it is still common to find pesticide residues in some vegetable products. In this study, the following were detected: Chlorpyriphos, Dimetomorph I, Malathion, Omethoate, Carbendazim, and Imidacloprid in Nopal. The study was carried out in two collection centers located in the state of Morelos. In total, sixty samples were taken, thirty for each collection center, for a period of 10 months. To determine the pesticide residues, the analytical methodology was used, according to the guide, SANTE/11945/2015; in a laboratory accredited by the Mexican Accreditation Entity A. C. in the norm, NMX-EC-17025-IMNC-2006. The procedure for extracting analytes was carried out using the method, QuEChERS. The highest concentration of the pesticides detected in the samples obtained from the non-Certified Supply Center were Chlorpyrifos 0.309 mg/kg (MRL 0.01), Dimetomorf I 0.029 mg/kg (MRL 0.01), Malathion 0.155 mg/kg (MRL 0.01), Omethoate 0.032 (MRL 0.01), Carbendazim 0.090 mg/kg (MRL 0.01), and Imidacloprid 0.058 mg/kg (MRL 0.01). Thirty percent of the samples analyzed showed pesticide residues; the most frequent were Carbendazim. The results for the estimated daily intake (EDI) oscillated between 6.5 × 10−5 and 1.3 × 10−4 mg/kg body weight for the vegetable, Nopal. In principle, it could be concluded that the consumption of Nopal with pesticide residues does not represent any toxicological risk for human health, however, the risk cannot be ruled out due to the intake of other vegetables and fruits that are cultivated in the Mexican Republic, which probably present pesticide residues, which together would raise potential risks to human health.

Gum Arabic (GA) is a mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins secreted from Acacia senegal, Acacia seyal, and Acacia nilotica trees’ stems. The hi…

A wound dressing is very crucial component in wound healing process. Bioactive dressings play important role in wound sterilization and promote tissue healing and growth. The present work investigated the preparation of AgNPs in solid-state using acacia gum as both reductant and stabilizing agent. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was employed as activating agent and pH mediator. Acacia is a naturally occurring mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The obtained particles were in the range of 50 nm. The work was extended to evaluate the antimicrobial of AgNPs treated gauze cotton fabrics against gram positive (S. aureus), gram negative (P. aeruginosa) bacteria, C. albicans (yeast); and A. Niger (fungus). The inhibition zone of the as prepared silver nanoparticles was found to be 24 mm against both types of bacteria, 23 mm against C. albicans (yeast), and inactive against A. Niger (fungus). On the other hand, the treated gauze showed bactericidal behavior and a clear zone was found underneath the samples on the agar plate. The reduction percent in number of bacterial colonies of treated gauze fabrics in comparison to control Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture showed a reduction up to 100%. The aforementioned results promote the acquirement of bioactive antibacterial wound dressing.

Aloe vera has been used as folk medicine for a host of therapeutic indications of which the inner gel is the component extensively used and studied. Proponents of the use of this plant suggest that it is easily available, economical, and have fewer side effects compared to commercial drug compounds. However, the active constituents and their exact mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. This review focuses on the identification of the active constituents and their functional mechanism in the areas of anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and antibacterial. Preliminary evidence was found to support the antidiabetic effect which extended to the early stages of the disease with no adverse effects at the dosages used. Although topical application for its anti-inflammatory effect may be delayed and minute, oral administration has shown a significant response. However, too high a dose has been linked with an initial inflammatory reaction. Favorable response to the gel has also been demonstrated to support the use of A. vera in wound-healing and as an antibacterial agent, although limited to simple, uncomplicated wounds. Different active constituents such as acemannan and aloin have been suggested for the effects of the plant and this may be interpreted as synergism among different compounds rather than the action of a single compound. Until robust evidence is available, the plant should only be used as an adjunct to other well-established evidence-based treatment modalities.

Could you have imagined that one of the most essential elements for your good health lies in a vast protective gel lining of all of your capillaries that touches each of your trillions of cells … and most likely, you’ve never even heard about it. Come with me as we travel inside your vascular system and flow along with your blood. Every cell of your body is nourished by the blood that travels through the capillaries that make up 99% of your circulatory system-from head to toe. Placed end-to-end, scientists estimate they would extend 60,000 miles, enough to go around the earth two and a half times. With every heartbeat, vital nutrients and oxygen are delivered and waste is removed from each cell. This essential process breaks down with aging, poor diet, lack of exercise, genetics, stress and smoking. New medical science has revealed the importance of a transparent micro-thin gel-like lining in your blood vessels that protects your entire circulatory system. In the past, blood vessels were thought to be simple hollow tubes. But with today’s high resolution video microscopes, a discovery reveals that the entire circulatory system is coated with a gel like lining that protects the inside walls of the arteries, veins and capillaries. This protective gel-like lining of the capillaries and all other blood vessels is called the glycocalyx. Its integrity is essential to the healthy function of all the cells, organs and body systems. The glycocalyx keeps your body healthy in three critical ways. First, it functions as the natural trigger that stimulates the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is vital in controlling blood flow and blood pressure. The glycocalyx stores anti-oxidants and, working together with nitric oxide, both increase blood flow, on demand, when organs call for it. For example, when you’re walking upstairs. Or even when your brain is working through a difficult problem. Bottom line: your body needs a thick and healthy glycocalyx to efficiently regulate blood flow. Second, a healthy glycocalyx allows your body to engage more of the available capillaries of the microvascular system when blood flow increases. This is critical to regulate the supply of nutrients and oxygen, and the removal of waste and carbon dioxide, according to the body’s level of activity, such as when you exercise. Bottom line: While blood flow control is important, the glycocalyx allows your body to engage more capillaries when organs demand nourishment and waste removal. Third, capillaries are much more than simple hollow tubes. In fact, their inner surface is coated with the non-stick glycocalyx that prevents loss of capillaries through fluid leakage, blood clotting and inflammation. This coating prevents sticking when you don’t need it, and it keeps blood clotting and inflammation under control. For example, when your body’s healthy, it can repair a simple cut or fight an infection. Bottom line: a healthy glycocalyx not only engages more capillaries when blood flow goes up, but it also protects the capillary network and even the entire vascular system from deterioration and loss. Ongoing clinical research from more than 50 studies confirms that a compromised glycocalyx and a damaged microvascular system are linked to organ starvation. Early warning signs of organ starvation include cold hands and feet, leg cramps, skin problems, hair thinning, fatigue, lack of focus, memory loss, certain eye problems, hearing loss, severe PMS, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, and even type 2 diabetes. Emerging research is beginning to show that it’s not too late to slow down, or even reverse, the breakdown of the protective properties of the glycocalyx. More at https://microvascular.com/

The best prebiotics and probiotics come from these foods. Nurture your microbiome and good gut bacteria.

Gum Arabic is a natural gummy exudate gained from the trees of Acacia species (Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal), Family: Fabaceae. Gum Arabic considers as a dietary fiber with a high percentage of carbohydrates and low protein content. Sugars arabinose and ribose were originally discovered and isolated from gum Arabic and it is representing the original source of these sugars. A gum emanation from trees occurs under stress conditions such as heat, poor soil fertility, drought, and injury. Mainly gum is produced in belt region of Africa, mainly Sudan, Chad, and Nigeria. In the food industry, it is used in confectionery; in the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as emulsifier, film coating and others. Traditionally the gum used for chronic renal failure, digestive discomfort, and others. Although gum Arabic considered as an inert substance, recent information demonstrated multiple pharmacological and medical effects, such as weight reduction, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, anticoagulant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective and other effects.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the first cause of death in Mexican population. Metabolic disruptions induced by diet are, in turn, associated with ..

A poloxamer-pluronic-mastic gum-gum acacia wound dressing

This work determines the effect nopal consumption at different maturity stages (60, 200, 400, and 600 g) as the only calcium source in bone metabolism. The apparent mineral absorption, the biomarkers of bone metabolism, the bone mineral density at different femoral regions, and crystal properties of the bone were evaluated during the growth stage. The Ca absorption was increased with the rat age in most of the experimental groups, while Mg supplementation decreased intestinal absorption probably due to a saturation process. Intestinal Ca and Mg absorption showed an opposite trend; this result suggests that both ions can compete for vitamin D absorption sites. The percentage of absorption of K was lower in the groups fed with Nopal; nevertheless, due to supplementation, the net absorption was higher than the control group. In all groups, osteocalcin levels decreased with the rat age. Nopal consumption increased osteocalcin levels during the adolescence stage in comparison to the control group. Amino N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen levels increased in puberty and adolescence in all groups compared to the control group. Bone mineral density in different femoral regions was lower in the groups fed with nopal at early maturity stages (N-60 and N-200) than the groups fed with nopal at late maturity stages (N-400 and N-600). The crystal size of hydroxyapatite exhibited changes for all the groups, indicating the inclusion of mono and divalent ions in calcium replacement. On this basis, the nopal at late maturity stage contributed to bone formation.

The common cold is a viral infection with important economic burdens in Western countries. The research and development of nutritional solutions to reduce the incidence and severity of colds today is a major focus of interest, and larch arabinogalactan ...

Gum Arabic (GA), a nutrient from dried exudate of Acacia senegal, is widely used as emulsifier and stabilizer. It stimulates sodium and water absorption in diarrhea. This study explored the effects of GA in colonic tissue. Mice were treated with GA (10% wt/vol) in drinking water and gene array was p …

13 early warning signs all point to a single hidden problem. Your microvascular system may be breaking down, and your organs could be slowly starving and you don’t even know it. These early warning signs may be caused by a problem hidden in the smallest blood vessels in your body—your microscopic capillaries. Learn more at https://microvascular.com/.

Objective: Lately, gum Arabic (GA) is traditionally used in Middle East countries to ameliorate renal function of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). This action is controversial and it is still experimentally under evaluation. We aimed to shed more light on the potential effects of GA against γ-rays-induced nephrotoxicity in irradiated rats. Forty-eight male albino Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control group(C), irradiated groups (R) 5Gy, gum Arabic groups (GA) 25 mg/kg orally administrated for 3 weeks, and  GA+R groups, rats were treated orally with 25 mg /kg GA for one week before and three weeks after irradiation (GA+R). The experimental rats were sacrificed after 7 and 21 days of irradiation. Histochemical examination of kidney cortex tissue of R groups showed significantly decreased PAS-positive materials, total protein content, and total DNA content, but it significantly increased amyloid β–protein content relative to the control group. While treatment with GA before and after irradiation showed a non-significant change in PAS-positive materials and the content of total protein, total DNA, and amyloid β–protein throughout the examined kidney cortex. According to the results obtained in the current study using GA as a natural agent showed a strong cytoprotective effect against the histochemical changes due to its radioprotective effect.

The aim of current study is detect the activity role of Aloe vera and Opuntia ficus extract against certain pathogenic bacteria and evaluation of Aloe vera and O. ficus extract against certain pathogenic bacteria inhibition in vitro. 100 samples were obtained from patients with different diseases at age 6 Mon. to 65 years from both genders. This study was carried out in Lab. of Biology Dept., Science College/Tikrit University, at the period from 1st of June 2019 to end of January 2020. The antimicrobial activity was performed with the agar well diffusion method. The results show the ability of Aloe vera for inhibition of bacteria according on concentration and the concentrations of 100 was caused in inhibitory effect on E. coli, Acinetobacte, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus isolates at diameter 13, 12, 11, 9.8 and 15 mm respectively. While, Opuntia ficus extract at 100% concentration was caused in inhibitory effect bacteria isolates at diameter 10, 9.7, 8.2, 7 and 12 mm respectively. The results also show Aloe vera was found to be able for inhibition of bacteria concentration of 40% was caused in inhibitory effect on E. coli, Acinetobacte, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus isolates at diameter 14, 12, 11, 9 and 15 mm respectively. While, Opuntia ficus extract at 40% concentration was caused in inhibitory effect bacteria isolates at diameter 11, 10, 8, 7 and 13 mm respectively, while other concentrations 10%, 20, 30% show less inhibitory effect compare with 100% and 40% concentrations

Objectives Inflammation is ongoing process among sickle cell anemia even during steady state. C reactive protein (CRP) is cardinal marker that utilized widely as inflammatory indicator. Gum Arabic (GA) is gummy exudates from Acacia senegal tree. Fermentation by colonic bacteria increases serum butyrate concentrations, so considered as prebiotic agent. Gum Arabic (GA) has anti-inflammatory activity through butyrate. Earlier we proved that regular intake of GA increased fetal hemoglobin and anti-oxidant capacity most likely through raised level of butyrate, which would ameliorate symptoms of sickle cell anemia. Best of our knowledge this is the first study conducted to investigate GA intake on inflammatory markers among sickle patients. Results This was a retrospective study conducted on stored samples from trial of Gum Arabic and sickle cell anemia. Quantitative CRP was measured by Mindray BS 200 before and after Gum Arabic consumption for 12 weeks. Daily intake of GA significantly decreased C reactive protein level (P.V = 001) (95% CI 0.943–3.098). No correlation between CRP and age, fetal hemoglobin, hemolysis markers and white blood cells. Our findings revealed novel effect of GA as anti-inflammatory agent could be consumed as natural dietary supplement to modulate disease severity and downregulate inflammatory process. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02467257. Registered 3rd June 2015

Background There is a strong association between cardiometabolic risk and adipose tissue dysfunction with great consequences on type 2 diabetic patients. Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) is an indirect clinical marker of adipose tissue dysfunction. Gum Arabic (GA) is a safe dietary fiber, an exudate of Acacia Senegal. Gum Arabic had shown lipid lowering effect in both humans and animals. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of GA supplementation on anthropometric obesity marker, Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods This randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled trial recruited a total of 91 type 2 diabetic patients (73 females, 18 males), age (mean ± SD) 50.09 ± 9.3 years on hypoglycemic agents and were randomly assigned into two groups, either to consume 30 g of GA or 5 g of placebo daily for 3 months. Anthropometric obesity markers were measured and indices were calculated. Blood pressure was measured and high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) were determined in fasting blood samples at the start and end of the study period. Results After intervention, Gum Arabic decreased BMI and VAI significantly (P

The cerebral microcirculation and its glycocalyx, a matrix coating the luminal endothelium, are key regulators of capillary permeability and cerebral …