Journal of medicinal food最新文献

(-)-Epicatechin (EC), a bioactive compound found in the plant kingdom contained in beans from the cacao tree, and other vegetables, has high flavonoid content. Traditionally consumed as chocolate, presents various benefits in human health. Many flavonoids have demonstrated therapeutic effects against osteoporosis by enhancing bone density; however, the specific impact of EC on bone regeneration remains unknown. Since bone regeneration involves a small group of responsive stem cells, we investigated the flavonoids' effects on key bone precursors like mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We used a conventional osteogenic medium alone or combined with different EC concentrations. Our study revealed that low concentrations of EC could enhance the expression of osteogenic genes when combined with low concentrations of osteogenic medium and induced the highest differentiation of human MSCs compared with pharmacological concentrations. So, the increase in the expression of osteoblastic marker genes such as bone morphogenetic protein 2, Runt-related transcription factor 2, and secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich agreed with an increase in cellular calcium deposits. Therefore, we conclude that the natural flavonol (-)-EC improved the expression of genes involved in bone regeneration and could potentially serve as an adjunctive therapy for bone loss diseases.

Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline-based anticancer drug, is commonly used to treat various cancers, but its prolonged use may lead to cardiotoxicity. Despite extensive research efforts, effective strategies for managing DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT) remain limited. This study investigated the DICT-inhibitory efficacy of the water extract of Allium victorialis L. (AVE) and its underlying mechanism. AVE protected mouse cardiomyocytes, H9c2 cells, from DOX-induced toxicity while not interfering with DOX's cytotoxic effect on the MDA-MB-231 cells, human breast cancer cells. DOX-induced abnormal heart rate, RR interval, cQT prolongation, and segmentation were normalized following AVE supplementation. Also, AVE reduced the serum levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase and suppressed myocardial fibrosis and cell death by DICT in the AVE-fed mice group. Moreover, AVE was shown to restore DOX-induced impaired electrophysiological changes in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, including reduced total activity and decreased conduction velocity, while also normalizing the beat period irregularity and beat period mean. A total of 57 metabolites were tentatively identified in the AVE sample. Furthermore, PCR microarray and western blot analyses confirmed that AVE reversibly increased the expression of antioxidant-related genes and proteins. Altogether, the antioxidant properties of AVE could be utilized as a new strategy for preventing and treating DICT.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents the symptomatic predementia stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To delay the progression of MCI to AD, appropriate interventions capable of modulating the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis are necessary. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of MT104, a dietary supplement comprising Cuscuta seeds and heat-killed probiotics, based on the biological mechanisms regulating the MGB axis in patients with MCI. This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. All patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the MT104 or placebo group. Global cognition was assessed using the Korean-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA) and Korean-Mini Mental State Examination at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. The visuospatial function was assessed using the copying performance from the Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT), and verbal and visual memory functions were evaluated using the Seoul Verbal Learning Test (SVLT) and RCFT. Differences between groups were analyzed using either the t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test. Analyses of covariance and ranked analysis of covariance were performed. The mean changes in verbal memory function, as measured by the SVLT delayed recall, showed clinically significant improvement in the MT104 group relative to the placebo group in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol groups. Global cognition, as measured using the K-MoCA, also significantly improved in the per-protocol group. In addition, no significant findings were identified. This study highlighted the potential of dietary therapeutic strategies focused on reducing the risk of progression from MCI to AD.

Black garlic is a rich natural source of beneficial compounds and exhibits various biological activities. This study aimed to quantify flavonoids and polyphenols in white garlic and black garlic extracts, evaluate their antioxidant power, assess their antibacterial activity against specific pathogenic bacteria, and examine their antiproliferative effects on U87 glioblastoma cancer cells. The extraction was conducted using distilled water, methanol, and ethanol, and the quantification of bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test, antibacterial activity, and antiproliferative activity using the MTT assay. The findings of this research showed significantly higher levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids in black garlic compared to raw garlic, with methanol extracts containing the highest concentration of flavonoids (2.33 mg quercetin equivalent/g DM) and polyphenols (63.25 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g DM). Both white garlic and black garlic extracts displayed excellent antioxidant activity, while methanol extracts of black garlic exhibited the highest inhibition percentages (96.3% ± 0.36). Methanol extracts of black garlic also demonstrated effective antibacterial activity, while the antiproliferative effects were significant for all extracts on U87 glioblastoma cancer cells. These findings highlight black garlic as a promising source of compounds with antiproliferative, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, although the concentration of bioactive compounds may vary among different extracts.

Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L.G. Lohmann (synonym Arrabidaea chica Verlot) has aroused the medical interest of researchers in recent years. The leaves of F. chica are used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, for wound healing of skin or mucous membranes, ulcers, intestinal colic, diarrhea, and blood disorders such as hemorrhage and anemia. Herein, we present a review of the scientific production on F. chica employing the SciVerse Scopus database to elucidate the research trends and perspectives in this field of science. To identify relevant publications, 95 research articles and 10 reviews were selected, totaling 105 publications, of which Brazilian researchers published 91. The research areas most covered in the publications were Pharmacology, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, with the keywords highlighting flavonoids chemical class as the most cited. The data collected provides an overview of the status of this species, with scarce research reports on the application of F. chica products. Furthermore, F. chica is also unexplored in Food Science and Technology, demonstrating new research opportunities.

Locusta migratoria (LM) is an edible insect recognized as a valuable source of high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is often associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver along with low-grade chronic inflammation. In addition, chronic metabolic dysfunction and hepatic lipid toxicity can induce acute liver injury (ALI). This study investigated the protective effects of LM hydrolysate against MASLD and the related liver pathophysiology. Mice were fed a high-fat, high-fructose, and high-cholesterol diet to induce MASLD, whereas ALI was induced using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and d-galactosamine (Gal). LM hydrolysate reduced liver weight by decreasing hepatic ectopic fat accumulation and downregulating lipogenic gene expression in the liver. In addition, LM hydrolysate improved dyslipidemia by lowering the serum triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. LM hydrolysate also demonstrated hepatoprotective properties by reducing the protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 while enhancing antioxidant capacity, thereby mitigating liver damage induced by LPS/Gal under MASLD-promoting conditions. Thus, LM hydrolysate significantly attenuated the pathological changes in the hepatic tissue. These findings suggest that LM hydrolysate has potential as a functional food or dietary supplement for managing MetS-related disorders and protecting against liver pathology.

Methotrexate (MTX), a folate antimetabolite, is a cytotoxic drug known to cause cytotoxicity associated with free oxygen radicals. This study investigated the effect of vitamins D3 and K2 on MTX-induced liver cell injury using the zebrafish liver cell line (CRL-2643). Observed effects, levels of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation marker, and total antioxidant/oxidant status were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods. The mRNA expressions of p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 were measured using RT-PCR. In addition, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was performed to analyze the apoptosis status of the cells. The IC₅₀ value of MTX at 48 h was calculated as 442 µg/mL with an MTT assay. The doses of D3&K2 are determined based on the recommended dose to be taken daily. As a result, this study suggests that MTX treatment induced oxidative damage on the liver cell, as assessed by increased reactive oxygen levels, lipid peroxidation, and decreased glutathione levels. In addition, while MTX increased the expression of the p53 and proapoptotic marker Bax, it decreased the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2. In conclusion, D3&K2 treatment protects against MTX-induced liver cell toxicity. It is thought that they can be used as a potential agent in clinical applications with MTX in treatment.

This study investigated the behavioral responses of male Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) mice to intravenous caffeine exposure via a functional observation battery (FOB) test. Thirty-two experimental mice were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8 per group) and received intravenous caffeine at a dose of 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg. Functional behaviors were observed at 0, 0.25, 1.5, 6, and 24 h after intravenous caffeine administration. Among the hand-held observations, the ease of removal from the cage and the ease of handling were significantly altered in all caffeine-exposed mice in both a dose-dependent and a time-dependent manner. In terms of physiological responses, both stimulus responses and locomotor activities were significantly affected by intravenous caffeine exposure. Specifically, the tail pinch response was significantly impaired in half of the mice in the 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg groups. Moreover, the rearing count decreased in the 10 mg/kg group at 1.5 to 6 h and in the 20 mg/kg group at 1.5 h after intravenous caffeine exposure. Furthermore, locomotor activity was markedly increased 0.25 h after intravenous caffeine administration in the 20 mg/kg group. These findings clearly indicate that intravenous caffeine exposure significantly impacts functional behaviors, as assessed by an FOB test, which is consistent with widely accepted safety pharmacology testing guidelines.

Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis) polysaccharide (SCP) is an active ingredient from S. chinensis used mainly for the treatment of diabetes, owing to its antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and lipidemic-modulating activities. A rat type II diabetes mellitus model was established by giving rats a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) to investigate the protective effect of SCP against renal injury in diabetic rats. It was found in this study that fasting blood glucose, serum lipids, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were decreased, the insulin sensitivity was increased, and pathological injuries of the kidney were alleviated in SCP-treated groups, indicating that SCP should have a protective effect against renal injury in diabetic rats. SCP treatment reduced serum C-reactive protein and inhibited the expression of nuclear factors-κB and related inflammatory factors in the renal tissue of diabetic rats. SCP treatment also regulated the expression of Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) like-2, heme oxygenase-1, and kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1, reduced serum malondialdehyde content, and increased superoxide dismutase activity. Furthermore, SCP down-regulated the expression of fibronectin, α-SMA, transforming growth factor β1, and p-Smad3, up-regulated Smad7 expression, and mitigated the collagen fiber deposition in the renal interstitium in diabetic rats. It can be concluded that the mechanism of SCP in alleviating renal injury may be related to inhibiting inflammation, increasing antioxidant stress capacity, and improving renal fibrosis in diabetic rats.