Glyconutrients

We previously performed animal studies that suggested that trehalose potentially prevents the development of metabolic syndrome in humans. To evaluate this possibility, we examined whether trehalose suppressed the progression of insulin resistance in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in 34 su …

This review describes composition, general physiological and health effects, as well as the currently available knowledge concerning the action of Opu…

Objective: To compared efficacy of alpha lipoic acid (antioxidant medication) and aloe vera gel together versus intralesional steroids (hydrocortisone) in management of oral submucous fibrosis by evaluating post treatment clinical features of mouth opening and burning sensation. Study Design: A prospective comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Karachi, from Jul 2018 to Mar 2020. Methodology: Twenty-eight patients were involved in the research and were distributed into two groups, I and II. Alpha lipoid acid with aloe vera gel was given in group I and hydrocortisone was given in group II. Burning sensation and mouth opening were recorded both at start and at monthly interval later on for three consecutive months. The data collected were statistically analyzed by using SPSS-22. Results: A significant lessening in burning sensation (p

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Fucoidan compounds may increase immune activity and are known to have cancer inhibitory effects in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of fucoidan compounds on ex vivo human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and to determine their cancer cell killing activity both solely, and in combination with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor drug, Nivolumab. Proliferation of PBMCs and interferon gamma (IFNγ) release were assessed in the presence of fucoidan compounds extracted from Fucus vesiculosus, Undaria pinnatifida and Macrocystis pyrifera. Total cell numbers and cell killing activity were assessed using a hormone resistant prostate cancer cell line, PC3. All fucoidan compounds activated PBMCs, and increased the effects of Nivolumab. All fucoidan compounds had significant direct cytostatic effects on PC3 cells, reducing cancer cell numbers, and PBMCs exhibited cell killing activity as measured by apoptosis. However, there was no fucoidan mediated increase in the cell killing activity. In conclusion, fucoidan compounds promoted proliferation and activity of PBMCs and added to the effects of Nivolumab. Fucoidan compounds all had a direct cytostatic effect on PC3 cells, as shown through their proliferation reduction, while their killing was not increased.

The LCP-3 [Cycle-(Trp-Leu-His-Val)] significantly induced the colon cancer cells apoptosis by blocking the cell cycle, accompanied with inhibiting the cyclins expression, increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 rat...

Cordyceps sinensis (the new species name is Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is a precious Chinese medicinal material. The polysaccharides are one of the impo…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of aloe vera juice against stomach acid. Aloe vera also contains key elements such as resin, aloin, tannins, aloin-emodin, polysaccharides, 19 amino acids, 12 vitamins and 20 minerals that are important for health. Aloe vera is a natural ingredient that is good for detoxifying heavy metals in the body, and is able to maximize the performance of the digestive system. consuming aloe vera juice in a certain dose, is very effective for healing wounds in the stomach, as well as being a natural remedy for stomach ulcers which is quite effective. Aloe vera has the ability to stimulate the release of pepsin, which is an enzyme in the stomach that works to support the digestive system

Nopal (Opuntia ficus indica) belonging to the Cactacea family has many nutritional benefits attributed to a wide variety of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Coumaric acid (COA), ferulic acid (FLA), protocatechuic acid (PRA), and gallic acid (GAA) are the phenolic acids (PhAs) present in nopal. In this study, the role of these PhAs in copper-induced oxidative stress was investigated using the density functional theory (DFT). The PhAs form 5 thermodynamically favorable complexes with Cu(II), their conditional Gibbs free energies of reaction (ΔG’, at pH = 7.4, in kcal/mol) are from −23 kcal/mol to −18 kcal/mol. All of them are bi-dentate complexes. The complexes of PRA and GAA are capable of inhibiting the Cu(II) reduction by both O2•− and Asc−, their reactions with the chelated metal are endergonic having rate constants about ~10−5–102 M−1 s−1, PhAs can prevent the formation of hydroxyl free radicals by chelating the copper ions. Once the hydroxyl radicals are formed by Fenton reactions, the complexes of PhAs with Cu(II) can immediately react with them, thus inhibiting the damage that they can cause to molecules of biological interest. The reactions between PhAs-Cu(II) complexes and hydroxyl free radical were estimated to be diffusion-limited (~108 M−1s−1). Thus, these chelates can reduce the harmful effects caused by the most reactive free radical existent immediately after it is formed by Fenton reactions.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of autoimmune etiology. Current treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, glucocorticoids, and disease-modifying antirheumatoid drugs, newer agents such as tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies have adverse effects such as peptic ulcer, renal toxicity, and hematological toxicity. Moreover, they are expensive when used on a long-term basis. Hence, it is necessary to find out the new cost effective as well as less toxic drug as alternative. Aim and Objective: The present study was taken up to evaluate antiarthritic activity of Aloe vera aqueous extract (AVE) in Wistar albino rats when used orally. Materials and Methods: A total 36 no. of healthy Wistar albino rats of weight 100–200 mg were used and divided into six different groups containing six rats in each. Into subplantar region of hind paw of all rats except normal control, 0.1 mL of complete Freund’s adjuvant (6 mg Mycobacterium butyricum suspended in heavy paraffin oil) was injected for induction of arthritis. The rats were treated with vehicle (gum acacia), standard drugs (indomethacin and dexamethasone) and test drug, that is, AVE 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg for 12 days. The rats were evaluated by measuring the % increase in paw edema volume and paw thickness (joint diameter), assessing the biophysical parameters (arthritic score), hematological parameters erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, and histopathological study of joints (arthritic index) for testing the antiarthritic potential. Results: AVE 250 mg/kg showed significant antiarthritic property as that of standard indomethacin and dexamethasone in terms of reduction in inflammation and arthritic scores. Conclusion: AVE at 250 mg/kg offered significant protection against arthritis and inflammation and can be a safer alternative for long term use.

Background. Aloe vera has long been considered an anticancer herb in different parts of the world. Objective. To explore the potential mechanism of aloe vera in the treatment of cancer using network pharmacology and molecule docking approaches. Methods. The active ingredients and corresponding protein targets of aloe vera were identified from the TCMSP database. Targets related to cancer were obtained from GeneCards and OMIM databases. The anticancer targets of aloe vera were obtained by intersecting the drug targets with the disease targets, and the process was presented in the form of a Venn plot. These targets were uploaded to the String database for protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, and the result was visualized by Cytoscape software. Go and KEGG enrichment were used to analyze the biological process of the target proteins. Molecular docking was used to verify the relationship between the active ingredients of aloe vera and predicted targets. Results. By screening and analyzing, 8 active ingredients and 174 anticancer targets of aloe vera were obtained. The active ingredient-anticancer target network constructed by Cytoscape software indicated that quercetin, arachidonic acid, aloe-emodin, and beta-carotene, which have more than 4 gene targets, may play crucial roles. In the PPI network, AKT1, TP53, and VEGFA have the top 3 highest values. The anticancer targets of aloe vera were mainly involved in pathways in cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, and non-small-cell lung cancer and the TNF signaling pathway. The results of molecular docking suggested that the binding ability between TP53 and quercetin was the strongest. Conclusion. This study revealed the active ingredients of aloe vera and the potential mechanism underlying its anticancer effect based on network pharmacology and provided ideas for further research.

NeuroMolecular Medicine - Neuroprotective, antineuroinflammatory, and proneurogenic effects of glucosamine, a naturally occurring amino sugar, have been reported in various animal models of brain...

In this study, a diabetic kidney disease model was established by placing the test rats on a high-sugar/high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin induction. Histopathological examination (H&E, Masson, and PASM stain) showed pathological changes in the diabetic rat kidneys, in addition to fibrotic symptoms and collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses indicated that the diabetic condition significantly increased the expressions of fibrotic markers including collagen, α-SMA, and fibronectin. The levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein were also increased in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) rat blood, while the level of high-density lipoprotein was decreased. The results of Oil red O staining experiments indicated that the kidneys of diabetic rats exhibited appreciable fat deposition, with high contents of triglyceride and cholesterol. To inhibit fibrosis and reduce fat deposition, low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) may be used. Based on PCR and western blot analyses, LMWF can regulate the expression levels of important lipid metabolism regulators, thereby impeding the development of kidney fibrosis. Through the vitro model, it also be indicated that LMWF could inhibit fibrosis process through regulating lipid metabolism which induced by palmitic acid.

Aloe vera extract and its bioactive compounds possess anti-proliferative properties against cancer cells. However, no detailed molecular mechanism of …

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide found in brown alga with glorious potential for pharmacological activities, among which its anti-inflammatory properties have gained meaningful attention. Due to several advantages of formulations for topical application, this study aimed to develop and optimize a fucoidan-based cream formulation and to investigate its anti-inflammatory potential after topical application in vivo. Fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus L. was used. The cream base consisting of olive oil and Kolliphor RH40 was optimized followed by in vitro agar diffusion and drug release studies. The fucoidan-based cream with 13% Kolliphor P 407, 1% Transcutol P, and 5% PEG400 showed good spreadability, washability, and colloidal stability, and it did not irritate the skin. The kinetics of fucoidan release from the optimized cream exhibited the best fit to the Korsmeyer–Peppas and Higuchi models with R2 > 0.99. Fucoidan release was controlled by drug diffusion and anomalous transport provided by the optimized cream base. The formulation was stable and provided high fucoidan release after storage for 1 year. Topical application of the fucoidan-based cream dose-dependently inhibited carrageenan-induced edema and ameliorated mechanical allodynia in rats. The efficacy of the fucoidan-based cream at a high dose was comparable with the efficacy of diclofenac gel. The fucoidan-based cream could be considered a promising anti-inflammatory formulation.

Opportunistic bacterial infections amongst HIV-infected individuals contribute significantly to HIV-associated mortality. The role of HIV-mediated modulation of innate mechanisms like autophagy in promoting opportunistic infections, however, remains obscure. Here we show, HIV reactivation in or infe …

Mukesh Kumar Sharma1,2*, Jagat Chauhan1, Mohan Kumar1, Chetan Kumar Joshi3, Sandeep Sharma4 and Chhagan Lal5 Article: 7205 Full Text

One of the simplest and safest ways to treat diabetes is exercise regularly and Consumption of herbal medicines that have few side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training with aloe vera supplementation on some selected adipokines in type 2 diabetic men. In this quasi-experimental study, 44 men with type 2 diabetes (mean age 25-40 years) were randomly divided into four groups (n=11) of control, aloe vera, exercise and exercise- aloe vera groups. High-intensity interval training were performed 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks. Subjects received an aloe vera capsule containing 100 mg of aloe vera gel powder in the morning immediately after waking up and one capsule after dinner. Blood samples and anthropometric characteristics were obtained before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, t-test and Tukey post hoc test at P

d-Glucosamine is a protective dietary supplement or medicine for osteoarthritis of the knee, a musculoskeletal disease that leads to a significant det…

Our results show that GlcN supplementation in aerobically trained mice, at doses equivalent to those conventionally used in humans, increases the protein levels of mitochondrial biogenesis markers, improves motor coordination and may have a synergistic effect with exercise training on running distan …

Fucoidan is a marine-origin sulfated polysaccharide that has gained attention for its anticancer activities. However, the inhibitory effect of fucoidan on breast cancers by regulating autophagy and i...

BACKGROUND During clinical practice, cyclophosphamide (CTX) can lead to liver and kidney injury in vivo. In this study, we established a liver and kidney injury model by injecting CTX (80 mg kg−1 d−...

Fucoidan possesses various biological activities, such as anticoagulant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, potential antioxidant, and others. In this study, we investigated the effect of fucoidan on high-fat diet-induced obesity, inflammation, and gut microbiota in Institute of Cancer Research mice. Mice were gavaged with 50 mg/(kg·d) (Fuc0.5 group) or 250 mg/(kg·d) (Fuc2.5 group) of fucoidan for 5 weeks. Fucoidan alleviated obesity and tissue damage by decreasing body weight and body mass index, decreasing body weight gain, improved organ index, liver steatosis, and improved the structure of the small intestine. In addition, fucoidan decreased total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Moreover, fucoidan reduced serum lipopolysaccharide concentrations, tumor necrosis factor-α, and total bile acid. Furthermore, fucoidan improved the structure of gut microbiota and significantly increased the abundance (Shannon diversity index, evenness, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and quantitative PCR. In conclusion, our study provides a scientific basis for fucoidan as a functional food for modulating the gut microbiota and protecting against obesity.

Polysaccharides in brown algae, including the kelp Laminaria japonica, are economically important to both food and pharmaceutical industries. The meth…

Scientific Reports -

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide consisting of two glucose molecules linked by a 1–1 glycosidic bond. Trehalose can play a role in organ detoxification, antioxidant enzyme activity, reducing lipid peroxidation and reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors TNF-, IL-1β, Il-6, thereby inhibiting liver damage. Because of its role, this study aims to determine the effect of trehalose administration on liver damage through the IL-6 expression pathway with experimental post-test design with control group design. This research was conducted using samples of old rats, namely Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus). The old rats used were 21 male species which were then divided into 3 groups, namely the old control group, the old rat group that was given sucrose, and the old rat group that was given trehalose. Then observed for 8 weeks, namely in March - May 2021 at the Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University Makassar. The results obtained from the 3 groups showed a significant value that the administration of trehalose sugar in elderly mice had an effect on reducing the inflammatory factor IL-6 because it activated autophagy in macrophages thereby reducing cytokine production and vascular inflammation so as to be able to restore all aging mice to a level like observed in young mice. It is also known that aged rat liver, which is characterized by ER UPR activation and inflammatory signaling, decreases nicotinamide and UDP-N-acetyl-hexosamines, and reduces proteasome activity. Therefore, trehalose can be an effective therapeutic strategy against age-related disorders of proteostasis in the liver.