Glyconutrients

Among the different types of biomaterials, natural excipients gum acacia (GA) is economic and has the potential for controlled drug delivery. We have …

(2019). Amelioration of Diabetes-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy by Aloe vera: Implication of Oxidative Stress and Hyperlipidemia. Journal of Dietary Supplements: Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 227-244.

Gastric ulcer is one of the disorders that affects a wide proportion of the population and exposes the patient to cancer if the mucosal congestion not…

This paper investigates the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a direct injection (DI) diesel engine, fueled with alumina ($$\hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O} _{3})$$ Al2O3) nanoparticles-dispersed aloe vera diesel blends. The test fuels B10 (90% diesel and 10% aloe vera biodiesel), $$\hbox {B10}+ \hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ B10+Al2O3 (90% diesel, 10% aloe vera biodiesel and 30 ppm of $$\hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ Al2O3 nanoparticles), B20 (80% diesel and 20% aloe vera biodiesel) and $$\hbox {B20}+ \hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ B20+Al2O3 (80% diesel, 20% aloe vera biodiesel and 30 ppm of $$\hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ Al2O3 nanoparticles) are prepared separately for each aloe vera diesel blends at a dosage of 30 ppm with an aid of an ultrasonicator. The combustion characteristics such as heat release rate and cylinder pressure are investigated using the data acquisition system, while the engine performance features are examined by brake-specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency. The levels of engine pollutants are analyzed by unburned hydrocarbon (UBHC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO) and smoke opacity. These investigations disclosed the use of biodiesel blends with $$\hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ Al2O3 nanoparticles in DI diesel engine with significant amelioration of combustion characteristic and substantial decrement of CO, NO, smoke, UBHC emissions and brake thermal efficiency by 44%, 47%, 37%, 29% and 3%, when compared with the diesel fuel.

ReferencePanahi Y, Khedmat H, Valizadegan G, Mohtashami R, Sahebkar A. Efficacy and safety of Aloe vera syrup for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a pilot randomized positive-controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med. 2015;35(6):632-636.

Obesity is global problem that contributes to disease, and is partly caused by fast-food, high-fat diets. Much attention has been focused on developing anti-obesity foods and chemical materials from natural sources. Seaweed has bioactive properties that influence immune activity and have anti-cancer and anti-obesity effects. Laminaria japonica is a widely consumed seaweed, and has been promoted as a health food in Korea. The bioactive properties of L. japonica include anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammation effects. Most Laminaria japonica are distributed in a simple processing form such as drying, and their availability is very low. Therefore, various types of functional products can be developed if they can be applied to foods through functionalization using fermentation techniques. It is a structural problem that is the most problematic in seaweed processing. In this study, we used fermented Laminaria japonica. To increase physiological activity, fermentation treatment was performed to loosen the structure, thereby increasing the activity of the glycoprotein. First, we screened the anti-obesity potential of an L. japonica fermentation extract (LJF) using 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. We determined cytotoxicity using an MTS assay and measured LJF for its ability to affect adipogenesis through glucose uptake, triglyceride levels, and Oil Red O staining. We confirmed that LJF inhibited adipocyte differentiation. CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins α/β (C/EBP-α/β) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) are involved in the early and late stages of adipocyte differentiation. LJF significantly reduced the expression levels of C/EBP-α/β and PPAR-γ and decreased the concentration of adiponectin. Thus, our results suggest that LJF inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, and may be valuable for its anti-obesity effects.

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Yoon Mi Choi, Da Hye Shin, and Chong-Hyeak Kim. AM 2016;46:76-82. https://doi.org/10.9729/AM.2016.46.2.76

Background/Aims: The effect of treatment with gum acacia (GA), a prebiotic shown previously to ameliorate chronic kidney disease (CKD), in diabetic and non – diabetic rats with adenine – induced CKD has been investigated using several conventional and novel physiological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters. Methods: Diabetes mellitus was

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide that is primarily extracted from brown seaweeds which has been broadly studied in recent years due to its numerous biological properties, including anticoagulant, antithrombotic, antitumor, and antiviral activities. In this study, we investigated whether fucoidan has the ability to attenuate the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), TNF-α, and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Fucoidan inhibited the expression of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators including NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-1β. In addition, gene expression of iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TNF-α, and IL-1β was inhibited both at mRNA and protein levels by fucoidan treatment, without any cytotoxic effect. Moreover, fucoidan significantly inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activity NF-κB translocation into the nucleus by preventing the degradation of iκB-α. Taken together, these results indicate that fucoidan downregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory genes involved in the synthesis of NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by suppressing NF-κB activity.

Poor pancreatic cancer (PC) prognosis has been attributed to its resistance to apoptosis and propensity for early systemic dissemination. Existing the…

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide present in brown seaweed, has demonstrated anticancer activity in lung, breast, liver and colon cells. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway regulates growth in HT-29 cells through the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and Ras/Raf/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether fucoidan downregulates the IGF-IR signaling pathway in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Fucoidan treatment (0-1,000 µg/ml) was administered for 24 h in HT-29 cells. First, we investigated IRS-1/PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein expression levels following treatment with fucoidan (0-500 µg/ml) using western blot analysis. Fucoidan significantly inhibited the expression of IGF-IR, PTEN, PI3K and AKT as well as their phosphorylated forms (p-IRS-1, p-PI3K and p-AKT). Next, we investigated the effects of fucoidan on Ras/Raf/ERK pathway‑related protein expression levels in HT-29 cells. Fucoidan significantly inhibited the expression of IGF-IR, Shc, Ras, SOS, Raf and MEK. HT-29 cells were then incubated in the presence of fucoidan (0 or 250 µg/ml), and IGF-I (10 nM) was added for 0 to 60 min. Immunoprecipitation (IP) experiments showed that fucoidan inhibited IGF-I-induced phosphorylation of IGF-IR, PI3K, Shc (IP, IGF-IR), and phosphorylated IRS-1 and PI3K (IP, IRS-1) compared to the control group. Western blot analysis showed that fucoidan inhibited the expression of IGF-I-induced p-IGF-IR/IGF-IR and p-AKT/AKT, but not p-ERK/ERK. In conclusion, the inhibition of cell viability by fucoidan in HT-29 cells may be due to the downregulation of IGF-IR signaling through the main IRS-1/PI3K/AKT pathway. Fucoidan also partially impacted Ras/Raf signaling in the Ras/Raf/ERK pathway. Therefore, we suggest that fucoidan may be a suitable candidate chemopreventive agent in HT-29 colon cancer cells.

Fucoidan has received much attention in healthy food and biomedicine owing to their unique (bio)physicochemical properties, particularly antibacterial…

Due to antitumor and antioxidant activities, there has been increasing interest in fucoidans, sulfated polysaccharides, from brown algae. Currently, t…

Background/Aims: The effect of treatment with gum acacia (GA), a prebiotic shown previously to ameliorate chronic kidney disease (CKD), in diabetic and non – diabetic rats with adenine – induced CKD has been investigated using several conventional and novel physiological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters. Methods: Diabetes mellitus was

Objective: Based on anti-inflammatory effects of Aloe vera, the effect of aqueous extract of this plant on brain edema and changes in some pro-inflammatory cytokines was investigated after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Materials and Methods: In this study, adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: Sham, TBI, vehicle (Veh), and low dose (LA) and high dose (HA) Aloe vera. The vehicle and aqueous extract of Aloe vera were injected intraperitoneally 30 min after induction of diffuse TBI by Marmarou’s method. Brain edema (brain water content), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-1β levels in serum and brain were measured 24 hr after TBI induction. Results: Increased brain edema by TBI was reduced by both LA and HA (p

Treatment of many inflammatory diseases involves a chronic use of NSAIDs in large doses increasing acute kidney injury risk. This study was designed t…

Abstract Background Aloe vera is a plant that has been used as an alternative drug. This plant contains various compounds, like anthraquinone, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, and tannin that has an antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Both of it were responsible for the infection incident. This study aims to determine the efficacy of Aloe vera sap as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Methods An experimental study, in vitro using post-test only control group design, has been done at laboratory of Medical Faculty of Sriwijaya University, by examining the antibacterial activity of Aloe vera sap in five different concentration (5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, dan 80%) using well diffusion and solid dillusion method to determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). And then continued with the phytocemical screening to determine the compound inside the Aloe vera sap. Results Aloe vera sap were able to kill Staphylococcus aureus at 5% and Eshcerichia coli at 80%. Compatibility test showed that Aloe vera sap with concentration of 10%, 20%, 40%, and 80% are compatible with amoxicillin, therefore 80% is compatible with cefotaxime. This ability due to the compound that it contains, which is alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, quinone, and saponin. Conclusion Aloe vera sap is effective as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.   Keyword: Aloe vera sap, antibacterial, efficacy, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli.  

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds, possesses many biological activities including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ac…

Hydroactive wound dressings ensure a physiologically moist wound milieu which enhances healing and patient comfort. Polymers like polyurethane, salts of alginic acid, collagen, cellulose and other gelable polysaccharides are commonly used for preparation of hydrogels but have their own limitations. In the present study acacia gum, a natural polysaccharide having known antioxidant and wound healing properties has been blended with polyvinyl alcohol and prepared hydrogel matrix further explored for its wound healing potential. Structural characterization of blended films by FTIR and XRD method showed that polysaccharide gum associated with PVA molecules via acetal bridges and they were amorphous in nature. The gel exhibited free swell capacity of 64 g 0.100 cm−2, which is comparable to the commercially available films recommended for heavily exuding wounds. The GA/PVA blends showed 34% moisture retention (Rh) ability after 24 h and their fluid absorbing (26%) and fluid donation (16%) ability make them suitable for moist and fibrinous wounds. They also exhibited blood compatibility, oxygen permeability, bacterial impermeability, antioxidant activity, iron chelation ability and biodegradability. In vivo healing potential has been evaluated on Swiss albino mice where hydrogel coated wounds showed faster and scar-less wound regeneration. In vitro Povidone-Iodine loading and release studies showed that iodine release followed Fickian diffusion process. Prepared hydrogels are breathable and hydrophilic in nature and are able to maintain appropriate moisture level at wound surface, suitable for acceleration of wound healing process. Based upon the studied properties the designed hydrogels are recommended for dry, necrotic and low exuding wounds.

Background. Use of herbal compounds as an intracanal medicament in the field of endodontics has become noteworthy, one of which is the Aloe vera compound whose antibacterial effect has already been proven in the planktonic form of Enterococcus faecalis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Aloe vera on E. faecalis biofilms at the 4th and 6th week of development. Materials and Methods. 130 single root canal teeth without anomalies and caries were used. They were divided into two groups of 65 teeth for four and six weeks of biofilm production. Five samples of each group were examined for confirmation of biofilm formation under an electron microscope. Study groups were investigated with an antimicrobial agent as an intracanal medicament including 20 samples treated with Aloe vera, calcium hydroxide, and phosphate-buffered saline, and biofilm and survival of pathogens were investigated. Dentin chip suspensions were used for colony-forming unit (CFU) counting to estimate remaining E. faecalis counts. Results. The CFU mean in the 4th week subgroup in Aloe vera, phosphate-buffered saline, and calcium hydroxide was 0, 69166.66 ± 31688.58, and 25000 ± 30822.07, and in the 6th week, it was 136.36 ± 323.33, 95000 ± 12247.44, and 27501.66 ± 36570.34, respectively, which showed a significant difference between the used materials (). Conclusion. Aloe vera, in contrast to calcium hydroxide, eliminated 4th and 6th week biofilms and showed remarkable antibacterial properties against E. faecalis biofilm. These results support potency of Aloe vera to use as a natural antimicrobial material in the intracanal medicament.

This research evaluated the potential of using the methanol extract of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f (AVM) to prevent the formation of AGEs by means of the BSA/glucose assay, BSA-methylglyoxal assay, arginine-methylglyoxal assay, fructosamine, Nɛ-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), thiol groups, and …

GA has revealed potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in haemodialysis patients. Oral digestion of GA (30 g/day) decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory markers among haemodialysis patients. Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03214692, registered 11 July 2017 ( …