Journal of medicinal food最新文献

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.

Given the increasing interest in the potential cognitive benefits of green tea, this study evaluated the efficacy of processed green tea products as nootropic agents. We conducted a 12-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effects of heat-treated green tea extract (HT-GTE) supplementation on memory performance in individuals with subjective memory impairment (SMI). A total of 80 participants with SMI (mean age 49.6 ± 5.6 years) were randomly assigned to either the HT-GTE group (n = 40) or the placebo group (n = 40). Memory performance was assessed using standardized composite scores at baseline and week 12. Additionally, we examined changes in functional connectivity (FC) within the default mode network (DMN), a key resting-state network associated with memory function, at both time points. Compared to the placebo group, the HT-GTE group demonstrated significant improvements in memory function after 12 weeks, as evidenced by a greater increase in composite scores (z = 2.535, P for interaction = .011). Furthermore, the HT-GTE group exhibited increased FC within the right precuneus region of the DMN (z = 2.554, P for interaction = .011). These findings underscore the potential of HT-GTE supplementation to enhance memory performance and FC within the DMN in middle-aged individuals with SMI, offering valuable insights into the cognitive benefits of green tea.

Previous studies have shown that continuous daily consumption of polyphenolic-rich blueberries (BB) reduced neuroinflammation and improved age-related declines in motor and cognitive function in rodents and humans, but the optimal intake of BBs is currently unknown. To evaluate the beneficial effects of BBs on neuroinflammation and motor and cognitive function relative to the frequency of consumption, the diets of aged F344 rats (18 months; n = 15/group) were supplemented with either a continuous control diet, a continuous 2% wild BB diet, or an intermittent (3 days on, 4 days off) 2% wild BB diet for 2 months prior to behavioral testing. Because neuroinflammation has been identified as a major contributing factor to the behavioral declines seen in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, serum was collected pre-diet and at the end of the study to assess whether diet-induced changes in serum can alter the production of inflammatory stress signals in activated HAPI rat microglial cells in vitro. Serum from rats continuously and intermittently fed BBs had beneficial effects by reducing the expression of inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in microglia, but only continuous feeding attenuated nitrite production. Intermittent BB-fed rats performed better on the rotarod and committed fewer errors in the radial arm water maze on Day 2 compared to control-fed animals. Based on these findings, BBs may not have to be consumed daily to elicit beneficial effects, possibly due to the retention of polyphenols and their metabolites in tissue and circulation.

We aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of daidzein alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on Caco-2 cells and investigate potential interactions between daidzein and 5-FU with apoptosis-related tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor-2, tumor necrosis factor -alpha receptor-1 and Interferon gamma receptor-1. In this study, we used trypan blue and MTT assays to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of daidzein and the effect of daidzein on the amount of substance P released from the cells using the ELISA method. We utilized the ligand-protein molecular docking method for our in-silico assessments. According to our cytotoxicity experiment results, daidzein decreased the proliferation of Caco-2 cells. It should be pointed out that our ELISA test results daidzein and 5-FU increase the level of Substance-P (SP), a proinflammatory cytokine released by Caco-2 cells. Based on our in-silico results, daidzein interacted with all three apoptosis-related receptors on the membrane of Caco-2 cells to a better extent than 5-FU. In sum, although daidzein increases the amount of SP, it is a compound that has significant cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells and promise as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of colon cancer.

Thyroid nodules are common and affect half of the general population by the age of 60 years. The cause is believed to be due to hypothyroidism, mutational changes, and autoimmunity leading to thyroid carcinoma. Dill, a traditional herbal remedy, has been used to treat thyroid dysfunctions such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. This study evaluates the effects of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) on patients with thyroiditis and nodular goiter. A study was conducted on patients with benign thyroid nodules. They were divided into two groups; placebo (=35) and dill group (n = 33). Dried and ground dill was put into hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsules and patients were given three capsules per day for 90 days. Various tests were conducted at the beginning and end of the study, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg), and C-reactive protein (CRP) analysis, and thyroid nodule dimensions were measured by ultrasound. Statistical analysis was performed. After 90 days of treatment with dill extract, patients showed significant reductions in TSH, FT4, anti-TPO, and CRP levels, as well as a decrease in thyroid nodule sizes as demonstrated by ultrasonography. The dill-treated group had significantly decreased TSH (P = .020), FT4 (P = .001), anti-TPO (P = .004), CRP (P = .003) levels, and nodule sizes (P = .001) at the beginning and end of the study. Compared to the control group, the dill group had significantly decreased TSH (P = .009), fT4 (P < .001), anti-TPO (P = .001), CRP (P < .001) levels and nodule sizes (P < .001), which reached normal values. A. graveolens suppressed inflammation of the thyroid gland, reduced nodule size, and normalized TSH levels. Dill supplementation should be recommended for the treatment of thyroid nodules in selected patients.

The present work focuses on studying the effectiveness of truffle extract administration to enhance memory functions in a scopolamine-induced amnesia mice model. Major phytochemical constituents, gallic acid and myricetin, underwent in silico studies using Autodock Vina and Discovery Studio visualizer software. Male mice were pretreated orally with either truffle extracts (400 mg/kg) or donepezil (3 mg/kg) for 21 days. Dementia was induced in mice by scopolamine (1 mg/kg) after 19 days of pretreatment and until day 28. The mice were divided into five experimental groups: (1) control; (2) model; (3) donepezil (1 mg/kg); (4) Tirmania nivea (400 mg/kg); and (5) Terfezia boudieri (400 mg/kg). Mice were subsequently subjected to a battery of behavioral tests, including an open field locomotor activity assay, and the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Biochemical, histopathological analyses and molecular docking were performed. Chronic Scopolamine administration decreased learning and memory enhancement during the MWM test. A significant increase in time to find the hidden platform and escape was observed. Scopolamine increases acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress. Conversely, treatment with the T. nivea and T. boudieri extracts (400 mg/kg orally administered) increased the memory of mice in the MWM task and suppressed scopolamine-induced oxidative damage. The memory enhancement effect was observed by the best docking scores of gallic acid and myricetin against AChE. This study reveals truffle's ameliorative effect on scopolamine-induced dementia in mice, possibly mediated by modulation of cholinergic activity and antioxidant activity. The docking of two major compounds, gallic acid and myricetin, predicted their potential as memory enhancers.

The utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for disease treatment dates back thousands of years. Atractylodis rhizoma (AR) is recognized as a premier TCM and has effective therapeutic properties for gastrointestinal disorders. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms by which the ethanolic extract of Atractylodis rhizoma (EEAR) addresses ulcerative colitis (UC) remain ambiguous. This study aimed to clarify the potential molecular mechanisms by which EEAR ameliorated dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in mouse models and Caco-2 cells. EEAR exhibited significant therapeutic effects in UC mice, including decreasing symptoms and reducing inflammation. It also upregulated the expressions of tight junction (TJ) proteins, which enhanced UC intestinal mucosal barrier protection. In addition, EEAR inhibited the expressions of matrix metalloprotein (MMP)-2/9 proteins and inactivated the RhoA/ROCK (Rho-associated kinase)/MLC (myosin light chain) pathway in UC mice. Consistent with the results of in vivo experiments, EEAR significantly increased cell viability and improved the barrier disruption in DSS-induced Caco-2 cells. EEAR increased the expressions of TJ proteins, regulated F-actin cytoskeletal remodeling, and inhibited the expressions of MMP-2/9 proteins and the RhoA/ROCK/MLC pathway. EEAR significantly decreased intestinal pathological injury. Its potential mechanism was related to its inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK/MLC pathway, decreased activation of MMP-2/9, and increased expressions of TJ proteins, thereby regulating cytoskeleton remodeling.

Postpartum women are in a state of physical weakness and suffering from fatigue. Metabolic disturbances in the postpartum period may lead to an increased prevalence of postpartum depression, hemorrhage, and obesity, underscoring the importance of prioritizing maternal health. The combination (Baizhu Xiaozhong San, BZXZS) of charred Atractylodis macrocephalae Koidz. (Baizhu, BZ) and charred Fructus Aurantii Immaturus (Zhishi, ZS) has primary applications for invigorating the spleen and promoting diuresis. This study utilized serum/spleen metabolomics in conjunction with 16S rDNA sequencing analysis to investigate the endogenous metabolic alterations and intestinal homeostasis in postpartum rats exhibiting spleen-deficiency syndrome (SDS). The pathological symptoms of postpartum SDS rats in the administration groups were gradually restored, in particular, the symptoms of the BZXZS-H group rats improved significantly. As a result, 32 differential metabolites and 7 correlated metabolic pathways (impact value > 0.1) demonstrated the improvement effect of BZXZS on postpartum SDS rats mostly focusing on disorders of energy, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. 16S rDNA gene sequencing indicated that BZXZS had a significantly better regulatory effect on Lactobacillus faecis. The findings suggest that BZXZS exerts a positive impact on the intestinal health and the immune system of postpartum SDS rats through an intricate cascade of interactions with various targets.

This study examined the effects of prebiotic and probiotic (synbiotic) supplementation on weight loss and biochemical parameters in treating obesity. The study was conducted with 110 participants in Eskisehir Anadolu Hospital, Turkiye, between February 15, 2019 and February 15, 2020. Individuals with obesity, who were following a weight loss diet, were randomly assigned to two groups. While one group (the control group) followed the diet only, the other group received synbiotic tablets in the morning and evening, in addition to the diet. Anthropometric values and biochemical parameters of the patients were measured at the beginning of the study and 3 months after. A significant decrease was found in weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference values compared with baseline in both groups (P: .001; P < .05). A significant decrease was found in fasting blood sugar and HOMA-IR values compared with baseline in both groups. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in vitamin B12 and vitamin D values in the group receiving synbiotics compared with their baseline values. As a result of our study, both groups experienced similar weight loss and a decrease in BMI values. The vitamin B12 and vitamin D values of the group that took supplements increased significantly. The HOMA-IR values were significantly lower in both groups, albeit more in the synbiotic group. Changes in vitamin B12, vitamin D, and HOMA-IR values are extremely important for improving the health parameters in the long term.

This study investigated the effects of Humulus japonicus extract supplementation on bone growth and microstructural properties in male and female rats, with a particular focus on the JAK2/STAT5/IGF-1 signaling pathway. Three-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to different groups receiving a normal diet (ND), growth hormone (GH), or varying doses of H. japonicus extract: low (L; 73 mg/kg body weight [bw]/day), medium (M; 146 mg/kg bw/day), and high (H; 292 mg/kg bw/day) for four weeks. The results demonstrated that the H group exhibited significant increases in femur and tibia lengths, trabecular and cortical bone mineral density, and growth plate thickness compared with the ND group. Furthermore, the H group demonstrated elevated serum and hepatic IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels, as well as enhanced phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT5. The findings suggest that H. japonicus supplementation promotes longitudinal bone growth by stimulating growth plate activity and modulating the JAK2/STAT5-IGF-1 signaling pathway. This research indicates that H. japonicus extract could potentially be used as a natural therapeutic agent to support skeletal development and maintain bone health.