Gut microbiota (GM) is considered to play an important role in obesity. Additionally, the impact of dietary fiber (DF) consumption on GM has been well established. Brown seaweeds are known to be a rich source of DF. However, the effect of insoluble DFs (IDFs) alone from brown seaweed on obesity and GM remain

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a new method for extracting polysaccharides from Aloe vera, considering their inhibitory effectivenes…

The combination of bioceramics with biopolymers are playing major role in the construction of artificial bone. Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been extensivel…

Fucoidan (Fuc), a natural polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed algae, and gelatin (Gel) were conjugated to form a template for preparation of biomimetic scaffolds for potential applications in bone tissue regeneration. To the Fuc–Gel we then incorporated the peptide sequence MTNYDEAAMAIASLN (MTN) derived from the E-F hand domain, known for its calcium binding properties. To mimic the components of the extracellular matrix of bone tissue, the Fuc–Gel–MTN assemblies were incubated in simulated body fluid (SBF) to induce biomineralization, resulting in the formation of β-tricalcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite (HAp). The formed Fuc–Gel–MTN–beta–TCP/HAP scaffolds were found to display an average Young’s Modulus value of 0.32 GPa (n = 5) with an average surface roughness of 91 nm. Rheological studies show that the biomineralized scaffold exhibited higher storage and loss modulus compared to the composites formed before biomineralization. Thermal phase changes were studied through DSC and TGA analysis. XRD and EDS analyses indicated a biphasic mixture of β-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite and the composition of the scaffold. The scaffold promoted cell proliferation, differentiation and displayed actin stress fibers indicating the formation of cell-scaffold matrices in the presence of MT3C3-E1 mouse preosteoblasts. Osteogenesis and mineralization were found to increase with Fuc–Gel–MTN–beta–TCP/HAP scaffolds. Thus, we have developed a novel scaffold for possible applications in bone tissue engineering.

Background: Glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN·HCl) has been shown to inhibit cell growth and matrix synthesis, but not with N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) supplementation. This effect might be related to an inhibition of critical growth factors (GF), or to a different metabolization of the two glucosamine derivatives. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the synergy between GlcN·HCl, GlcNAc, and GF on proliferation and cartilage matrix synthesis. Method: Bovine chondrocytes were cultivated in monolayers for 48 h and in three-dimensional (3D) chitosan scaffolds for 30 days in perfusion bioreactors. Serum-free (SF) medium was supplemented with either growth factors (GF) TGF-β (5 ng mL−1) and IGF-I (10 ng mL−1), GlcN·HCl or GlcNAc at 1mM each or both. Six groups were compared according to medium supplementation: (a) SF control; (b) SF + GlcN·HCl; (c) SF + GlcNAc; (d) SF + GF; (e) SF + GF + GlcN·HCl; and (f) SF + GF + GlcNAc. Cell proliferation, proteoglycan, collagen I (COL1), and collagen II (COL2) synthesis were evaluated. Results: The two glucosamines showed opposite effects in monolayer culture: GlcN·HCl significantly reduced proliferation and GlcNAc significantly augmented cellular metabolism. In the 30 days 3D culture, the GlcN·HCl added to GF stimulated cell proliferation more than when compared to GF only, but the proteoglycan synthesis was smaller than GF. However, GlcNAc added to GF improved the cell proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis more than when compared to GF and GF/GlcN·HCl. The synthesis of COL1 and COL2 was observed in all groups containing GF. Conclusion: GlcN·HCl and GlcNAc increased cell growth and stimulated COL2 synthesis in long-time 3D culture. However, only GlcNAc added to GF improved proteoglycan synthesis.

Aim The aim was to study whether oral glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN.HCl) or mucopolysaccharide protein (MucoP) has a structure-modifying effect on an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) ...

The derivatives of glucose such as glucosamine (β-D-GlcN) and N-acetyl-D-β-glucosamine (GlcNAc) are significant in several biological systems. D-GlcN …

Introduction and Objectives: Annually one million newborns die due to the umbilical cord infection. Thus, in this study, we aimed toevaluate the effect of topical aloe vera gel on umbilical cord complications. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in maternity ward of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran The samples were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly divided into three groups of aloe vera, control, and placebo. For data analysis, One-way ANOVA test was conducted. Results: Comparison of cord condition between the groups showed significant differences between the three groups. In the placebo group, the number of infants with redness around the cord was significantly higher compared to the control (P=0.002) and aloe vera (P=0.002) groups. In addition, cord swelling was significantly more frequent in the placebo group than the control (P=0.002) and aloe vera (P=0.002) groups. The incidence of cord infection was significantly higher in the placebo group than the control (P=0.000) and aloe vera (P=0.000) groups. The occurrence of infection in the umbilical cord of the newborns in the placebo group was significantly more compared to the control (P=0.000) and aloe vera (P=0.000) groups. Conclusion: Topical aloe vera gel accelerated cord separation and reduced the rates of complications and infections.

In the normal physiological state, intestinal epithelial cells act as a defensive frontline of host mucosal immunity to tolerate constant exposure to external stimuli. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-inflammatory and gut permeability protective effects of Laminaria japonica (LJ) water extract (LJE) and three types of fermented Laminaria japonica water extracts (LJE-F1, LJE-F2, and LJE-F3) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Caco-2, human intestinal epithelial cells. All four extracts significantly decreased the production of nitric oxide and interleukin-6 induced by LPS stimulus. In addition, LJE and the three types of LJE-Fs also inhibited LPS-induced loss of monolayer permeability, as assessed by changes in transepithelial electrical resistance. All four LJ extracts significantly prevented the inhibition of the protein levels of occludin, whereas LJE, LJE-F1, and LJE-F3 significantly attenuated the reduction in phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase compared with the LPS-treated group in Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, LJE and its fermented water extracts appear to have potential gut health-promoting effects by reducing inflammation and partially regulating the tight junction-related proteins in human intestinal epithelial cells. Thus, additional studies are warranted to evaluate Laminaria japonica as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel diseases.

Aloe vera is a traditional wound‑healing medicine used for the treatment of skin disorders. Aloe polysaccharide (APS) is the main macromolecule of Aloe vera, which contributes to its function. Psoriasis is an immune‑mediated chronic inflammatory disease, which affects 2‑3% of the general population. The conventional remedies used to treat psoriasis demonstrate limited effects; therefore, natural products, including Aloe vera, are being taken into consideration. However, the effects of APS on the treatment of psoriasis and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT was used to determine the effects of APS on psoriasis. Cells were randomly divided into five groups: i) Negative control group; ii) tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α stimulated psoriasis model group; and iii) APS (20, 40 and 80 µg/ml) pretreated psoriasis groups. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated using the CCK‑8 assay. ELISA and western blotting were applied to study the abundance of interleukin (IL)‑8 and IL‑12 in TNF‑α‑incubated culture medium and APS‑treated HaCaT cells, respectively. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of p65, and the protein expression levels of nuclear factor (NF)‑κB inhibitor‑α (IκBα) and phosphorylated‑p65, were detected by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. APS was revealed to significantly reduce TNF‑α‑stimulated elevation of HaCaT cell proliferation in a dose‑dependent manner. The expression levels of inflammatory factors, including IL‑8 and IL‑12, were increased in response to TNF‑α. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of p65 were increased following treatment with TNF‑α. Notably, treatment with APS was demonstrated to significantly attenuate the aforementioned effects in a dose‑dependent manner. Furthermore, IκBα protein expression levels were significantly reduced following treatment with TNF‑α, which was significantly reversed following treatment with APS. In conclusion, these results suggested that APS inhibited TNF‑α‑induced proliferation of keratinocytes and overactivation of the NF‑κB signaling pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of a purified Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP61A) on preventing vascular calcification (VC). In the adenine-induced chronic renal failure (CRF) mice VC model and the β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)-induced vascular smooth muscle ce …

Insulin resistance has become a worldwide nutrition and metabolic health problem due to the lack of effective protective agents. Laminaria japonica is a well-known marine vegetable. Purified Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP61A) can inhibit atherosclerosis in high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed mice via ameliorating insul

Administration of 20% acetic acid can induce gastric inflammation, increase leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venule and TNF-alpha level and reduce IL-10 level. Aloe vera treatment can reduce leukocyte adherence and TNF-alpha level, elevate IL-10 level and promote gastric ulcer healing.

LJP can effectively inhibit the growth of NPC cells. And it may be achieved by inducing apoptosis of NPC cells.

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the specific roles of laminarin from seaweed (Laminaria japonica) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its potential mechanisms related to senescence marker protein-30 (SMP-30). Materials and Methods: Human HCC cell lin …

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Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Currently, approximately 20–40% of individuals with diabetes are…

Low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF), extracted from Laminaria japonica Areschoug, is a traditional Chinese medicine, commonly used to alleviate edema…

(2016). Effects of Aloe Vera on Spinal Cord Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury of Rats. Journal of Investigative Surgery: Vol. 29, No. 6, pp. 389-398.

Low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) was prepared from Laminaria japonica Areschoug, a popular seafood and medicinal plant consumed in Asia. Chinese h…

Glucosamine (GlcN), also known as aminosaccharide, is an important functional monosaccharide and the first amino monosaccharide to be identified as a hydroxyl group of glucose substituted by amino ...

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a type of serious microangiopathy that is caused by diabetes mellitus (DM). It is the most common cause of chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease, and it severely affects patients’ quality of life. This work aims to study the effect and mechanism of low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN. The experimental results showed that LMWF prevented weight loss in DN rats, significantly reduced the levels of biochemical indexes in blood and urine samples, and also lowered hyaluronic acid (HA) levels and advanced glycosylation end product-specific receptor (AGER) levels in DN rats. LMWF maintained the structural integrity of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and glomerulus, improved the glomerular filtration function, protected glycosaminoglycan from abnormal degrading, prevented advanced glycosylation end product (AGE) from being generated and accumulating, and also alleviated inflammatory response in DN rats. LMWF could obviously ameliorate and slow the development and progression of DN in rats.

The aim of this study was to determine effects of six weeks endurance training and Aloe Vera supplementation on COX-2 and VEGF levels in mice with breast cancer. For this purpose, 35 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control (healthy) and 4 cancer groups: control (cancer only), training, Alo …

We investigated the renal protective effects of low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) and its two fractions (F0.5 and F1.0), which were extracted from …

Europe PMC is an archive of life sciences journal literature.

The Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (IRCMJ) is international, open access, peer-reviewed, monthly, and ISI- Journal, affiliated to Iranian Hospital- Dubai, publishes original scientific studies in English that have direct clinical significance on Basic Science, Clinical Medicine, and Disaster Management. The journal strives to release the original articles related to various disciplines of medicine, including Review Articles, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Reviews, Clinical and Experimental Trials, Case Reports, and Letters. All research articles published in the journal have undergone rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and anonymized refereeing by at least two anonymous referees. The journal strives to strengthen connections between research and practice, so enhancing professional development and improving practice within the field of medicine.

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious microvascular complication that can lead to chronic and end-stage renal failure. It is understood that inflamma…