Journal of medicinal food最新文献

Among the most significant comorbidities associated with the progression of COVID-19 to more severe stages, studies have reported a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, often resulting in complications that require hospitalization and intensive care. As obesity can, in many cases, be linked to lifestyle, dietary habits may influence physiological parameters, particularly in the period following viral infections such as COVID-19. This pilot study aimed to compare the blood parameters of individuals with different dietary patterns (omnivores and lacto-ovo vegetarians) after COVID-19 infection using principal component analysis (PCA). All participants were residents of the same city (Campo Mourão, Paraná State, Brazil) and were infected during a similar time period (January 2022 ± 2 months). Blood analysis data were collected from 20 volunteers, all evaluated at the same clinical analysis laboratory. The parameters assessed included leukocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocytes, platelets, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glucose, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin C, and calcium. PCA results indicated distinct differences in blood profiles between most lacto-ovo vegetarians and omnivores. Lacto-ovo vegetarians were associated with higher levels of HDL cholesterol, ferritin, glucose, platelets, and hematocrit, while omnivores showed higher levels of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and hemoglobin. Among the parameters evaluated, only vitamin D showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (P < .05). These preliminary findings suggest that dietary patterns may influence certain blood parameters in the post-COVID-19 recovery period. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these associations and to better understand the potential role of diet in postinfection metabolic responses.

Immune responses occurring in the central nervous system as a result of infection or exposure to toxins are referred to as neuroinflammation. It is heavily involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative conditions of the brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a water extract of Humulus japonicus (HJW) on neuroinflammation and its fundamental mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated BV-2 murine microglial cells and in a mouse model. HJW inhibited LPS-induced secretion of nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as the mRNA expression of Il1b in BV-2 cells. In the group co-administered with HJW, 24 h after LPS administration, a significant downregulation of Il6 expression occurred in the cerebral cortex, as well as in TNF-α and IL-6 in the blood. In the group co-administered HJW, microglial activation was effectively suppressed in the cerebral cortex after 24 h of LPS injection and in the hippocampus after 24 h. LPS-induced elevation of phospho-p38 was significantly reduced by administration of HJW to the hippocampus of mice and to BV-2 cells. Furthermore, HJW effectively alleviated cognitive deficits induced by repeated LPS injections in a novel object recognition test. These findings suggest that HJW may offer therapeutic benefits as a natural extract for treating neuroinflammation, thereby enhancing memory and cognitive functions.

Cordyceps has been clinically used to treat atherosclerosis (AS) since the 1980s. However, the active components responsible for its effects and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the anti-AS effects and mechanisms of action of wild Cordyceps polysaccharides (WCP). The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and structural characteristics of WCP were analyzed. Furthermore, the anti-AS effects of WCP were evaluated using apolipoprotein E knockout (Apoe^-/-) mice fed high-fat diets. The mechanisms underlying WCP's anti-atherosclerotic activity were elucidated in Apoe^-/- mice and oxidized low-density lipoprotein-loaded RAW264.7 macrophages. We found that WCP is composed of galactose, glucose, and mannose, with a molar ratio of 1:1.1:1.2. The average molecular weights of WCP are 1486 and 26 kDa. WCP significantly attenuated the progression of AS, as evidenced by reduced plaque formation in the aortic root valve area. Notably, WCP reduced cholesterol accumulation in macrophages by upregulating the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter protein 1 (ABCA1) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1), both in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, we identified peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) as a critical target of WCP in macrophages, as confirmed by siRNA knockdown experiments. The ability of WCP to enhance the expression of cholesterol efflux-related genes in macrophages was markedly diminished upon suppression of PPARγ expression. In conclusion, our findings suggest that WCP mitigates the development of AS by activating the PPARγ-liver X receptor alpha (LXRα)-ABCA1/ABCG1 pathway, thereby reducing cholesterol accumulation in macrophages. This study provides new insights into how Cordyceps polysaccharide exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects and highlights its potential as a therapeutic agent for AS.

In the present study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of LN19183, a combination of extracts of Citrus aurantifolia fruit rind and Theobroma cacao seed, in vitro and in vivo. Oil Red O staining and Western blotting were performed on 3T3-L1 adipocytes to examine the inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation and the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, LN19183, along with a high-fat diet, was administered to rats for 28 days, and body weight and serum biochemical profiles were assessed. In vitro study results showed that LN19183 significantly reduced lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, treatment with LN19183 regulated the expression of markers of adipogenesis (PPAR-γ, C/EBPβ, SREBP-1, FABP4, FAS), lipolysis (ACYL, PPARα, CPT-1), and thermogenesis (PGC-1, UCP-1) by adiponectin, leptin, AMPK, and ACC. In vivo, LN19183 administration significantly reduced body weight, serum triglycerides, leptin, glucose and adipose weight. Our study was the first to reveal the anti-obesity effects of LN19183 through adipogenesis and lipolysis, supporting its potential as a nutraceutical for reducing body fat.

Skeletal muscles, attached to bones via tendons, enable physical movement in animals. Muscle atrophy is associated with a decline in muscle mass and function and can detrimentally impact quality of life, leading to muscle weakness, altered fiber properties, and, ultimately, sarcopenia. Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. (Korean name: Han-Sok-Dan) has been used as a herbal medicine in Southeast Asia since ancient times. Although several studies have explored the properties of Han-Sok-Dan, further research is warranted to establish its therapeutic benefits for muscle function. This study investigated the effects of Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. water extract (PUW) in mice subjected to dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Mice exhibiting dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy experienced weight loss, reduced muscle mass, and functional decline. However, PUW administration effectively reversed these effects by maintaining muscle mass and strength, decreasing protein degradation-related marker expression, and enhancing signaling for protein synthesis. Notably, phosphorylations of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 were significantly enhanced in the PUW group, indicating the activation of anabolic signaling. Overall, PUW alleviates muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone by modulating the balance between protein degradation and synthesis through regulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mTOR pathway. These findings reveal the potential of PUW as a natural therapeutic agent for preventing or managing muscle wasting.

Oxidative stress is a key factor of comorbidities in obesity. A Mexican genotype of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Gl) contains bioactive compounds showing antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and prebiotic properties. We assessed the effect of standardized Gl-1 and Gl-2 extracts (1%) consumed by obese C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat and sugar diet (HFSD), on weight increase, serum parameters, liver lipid accumulation, and the expression of antioxidant genes (glutathione peroxidase 1, catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD] 1, SOD2) and proteins (CAT, SOD2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) in the liver. Fifty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into seven groups involving the control and treatments during 17 weeks, as well as using metformin (Met, 250 mg/kg/day) as a reference drug. Serum lipids and glucose levels decreased in mice groups consuming Gl extracts and metformin, in comparison with the HFSD group, as follows: total cholesterol (-11.8% to -35.7%), triglycerides (-8.3% to -24.8%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-19.6% to -51.6%), and glucose (-3.1% to -25.7%). Gl-1 and Gl-2 extracts showed antioxidant properties and prevented lipid accumulation in the liver. The expression of antioxidant genes and proteins was significantly higher (P < .001) in the mice groups consuming Gl extracts, as compared to the HFSD group. This evidence showed that Gl-1 and Gl-2 extracts prevented oxidative stress in the in vivo model of obesity induced by an HFSD.

Obesity represents a major global health concern and is strongly associated with metabolic conditions, including fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disorders. Recent attention has focused on dietary strategies, particularly bioactive-rich plant-based interventions, to mitigate obesity-related complications. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of vinegar derived from Luffa cylindrica, a medicinal plant with known phytochemical benefits. The physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and metabolic effects of L. cylindrica vinegar (LV) were assessed through in vitro assays using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and an in vivo high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model. LV significantly reduced lipid accumulation in adipocytes. In mice, LV administration attenuated body weight gain, reduced white adipose tissue mass, improved serum lipid profiles, and lowered cardiovascular risk indices. Furthermore, LV exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant activity and modulated key metabolic genes in the liver. These findings suggest that LV may be a functional dietary agent for managing obesity and improving metabolic health.

Pereskia grandifolia, Cactaceae, is a plant native to temperate and tropical regions. Its leaves and fruits are utilized in food and traditional medicine due to their therapeutic and nutritional properties, which have garnered interest in both pharmaceutical and food industries. This review provides an overview of the current biomedical research on P. grandifolia, encompassing botanical and phytochemical aspects, traditional uses, nutritional evidence, in vitro and in vivo preclinical pharmacological studies, and toxicological evaluation. Scientific articles were sourced from databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, SciELO, and Web of Science. Saponins, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids emerge as the main bioactive substances within P. grandifolia. Nutritionally, its leaves and fruits are valued for their high protein and fiber content. In traditional medicine, its leaves are employed to address various ailments, including headache, gastric pain, hemorrhoids, atopic dermatitis, inflammation, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. In vitro studies on the species have demonstrated antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activity, along with the ability to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. In vivo research corroborates its diuretic, antihypertensive, antiobesity, and molluscicidal effects. However, there is limited investigation into its toxicity, and notably, no reports of clinical studies with the species were found. In conclusion, while promising effects of P. grandifolia have been reported, further research is warranted to substantiate its efficacy in folk medicine as an anticancer, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive agent.

The article's aim was thus to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of gold nanoparticles associated with the methanolic extract of Chrysophyllum cainito in human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), cervical cancer tissue (HeLa), and colorectal cancer cell line (HCT-116) cancer cell lines. The methanolic extract showed the presence of polyphenols and organic acids related to anticancer properties. In relation to the gold nanoparticles functionalized with the methanolic extract of C. cainito peels, these nanoparticles showed significant cytotoxic activity (p = .0001) in the HCT-116 cell line at 72 h after exposure to these. We consider this the first contribution to the use of the methanolic extract of C. cainito for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles. In conclusion, the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles associated with C. cainito methanolic peel extract may be an interesting option for the search for new cancer treatments.

Uvaria rufa (U. rufa) Blume is commonly found in Southern and Eastern Asia, including Thailand. This plant is commonly known as "Carabao teats" in English and "Pee Puan" in Thai. Even though hyperpigmented skin is generally a harmless condition, it is often a cosmetic concern. Ultraviolet exposure seems to be the primary contributing factor. In this study, we investigated the bioactive constituents of the ethanol extract of U. rufa fruits and evaluated their anti-melanogenic effects and tyrosinase inhibition in B16F10 mouse melanocyte cells (B16F10 melanoma cells) induced by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). This extract included phenolic and flavonoid components, as well as secondary metabolites demonstrated using LC-MS analysis, including betaine, hydroquinone, kojic acid, nicotinamide, quercetin, cysteamine, neoagarobiose, gallic acid, and cinnamic acid. Based on its antioxidant constituents and preliminary antioxidant screening, the extract possessed free radical scavenging capability by effectively scavenging DPPH and nitric oxide (NO) radicals with an IC₅₀ of 7.05 and 16.56 mg/mL, respectively. The extract inhibited melanin production by 123.2 ± 3.3% and tyrosinase activity by 134 ± 4.23% in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, suggesting that the observed anti-melanogenic capability arises from the combined action of several bioactive substances. Taken together, this present study demonstrates that U. rufa fruits have potential as a natural anti-melanogenic remedy and supports its further development for applications in the treatment of hyperpigmentation.