Journal of Food and Drug Analysis最新文献

Induction of antioxidant proteins and phase 2 detoxifying enzymes that neutralize reactive electrophiles are important mechanisms for protection against carcinogenesis. Normal cells provide multifaceted pathways to tightly control NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-mediated gene expression in response to an assault by a range of endogenous and exogenous oncogenic molecules. Transient activation of NRF2 by its activators is able to induce ARE-mediated cytoprotective proteins which are essential for protection against various toxic and oxidative damages, and NRF2 activators thereby have efficacy in cancer chemoprevention. Because NRF2 has a cytoprotective function, it can protect normal cells from carcinogens like an angel, but when the protective effect acts on cancer cells, it will give rise to invincible cancer cells and play a devilish role in tumor progression. Indeed, aberrant activation of NRF2 has been found in a variety of cancers that create a favorable environment for the proliferation and survival of cancer cells and leads to drug resistance, ultimately leading to the poor clinical prognosis of patients. Therefore, pharmacological inhibition of NRF2 signaling has emerged as a promising approach for cancer therapy. This review aims to compile the regulatory mechanisms of NRF2 and its double-edged role in cancer. In addition, we also summarize the research progress of NRF2 modulators, especially phytochemicals, in chemoprevention and cancer therapy.

Statins induce nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability by activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase via kinase- and calcium-dependent pathways in endothelial cells (ECs). However, their effect on the metabolism of L-arginine, the precursor for NO biosynthesis, and regulatory mechanism have not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated the role of the autophagy-urea cycle-L-arginine pathway in simvastatin-mediated NO bioavailability in ECs. Griess's assay was used to determine the NO bioavailability. Protein expression was assessed using Western blot analysis. Further, immunocytochemistry was performed to observe autophagosome formation, while conventional assay kits were used to quantify the levels of different intermediate substrates of the urea cycle. In ECs, treatment with simvastatin induced the activation of autophagy flux, as evidenced by the increased levels of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 II and autophagolysosome formation and decreased levels of p62. Inhibition of autophagy by ATG7 small interfering RNA (siRNA), chloroquine and bafilomycin A1 abolished simvastatin-induced NO bioavailability, EC proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Additionally, simvastatin increased the intermediate substrates levels of the urea cycle, including glutamate, acetyl-CoA, urea, and L-arginine, all of which were abrogated by chloroquine or bafilomycin A1. Genetic knockdown of argininosuccinate lyase using siRNA abrogated simvastatin-induced increase in NO bioavailability and EC-related functions. Moreover, inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) prevented simvastatin-induced activation of the autophagy-urea cycle pathway and NO production. Our findings suggest that simvastatin activates the autophagy-urea cycle pathway via TRPV1-AMPK signaling, which increases L-arginine bioavailability and ultimately promotes NO production in ECs.

A simple and dependable technique, known as THAM method, has been developed to detect and measure ethyl eicosapentaenoate (EE-EPA) and ethyl docosahexaenoate (EE-DHA) in encapsulated fish oils. This technique involves using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) as a catalyst, followed by analysis using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. Recoveries of EE-EPA and EE-DHA spiked between 5 mg/g and 20 mg/g were found to be between 90.8% and 95.2%, with coefficients of variation ranging from 0.2% to 2.5%, demonstrating the accuracy and precision of the technique. Additionally, its limitation of quantitation of EE-EPA and EE-DHA in fish oil samples was 0.2%. When compared with the direct injection method, the TMAH method yielded relative percent differences of no more than 3.8% in the amounts of ethyl esters of EPA and DHA in fish oil, while preventing contamination and maintaining its performance over time. Furthermore, when compared the total amounts of EPA and DHA with the boron trifluoride method, the relative percent differences were no more than 4.7% by the TMAH method. The advantages of using the TMAH method in distinguishing the ester forms of EPA and DHA and determining the total content of fatty acids in fish oils, which can provide an auxiliary check for evaluating the compliance of applications with the regulation related to the purity and form of EPA and DHA.

The study combined UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS analysis with authentic standards, to create a novel strategy for isomers recognition and putative identification. Through the strategy, anti-Covid-19 Jinhua Qinggan Granule was found to comprise 28 isomers and 45 potential anti-Covid-19 constituents. The detection of three constituents (Danshensu, cryptotanshin, and tanshinone IIA) suggests Danshen as confidential additive. Based on this, 6 constituents are recommended as quality-marker candidates, including chlorogenic acid, acteoside, peimisine, baicalein, licoricesaponin H2, and tanshinone IIA. Obviously, the study can not only help the public to really understand the Granule's formula and chemistry, but also facilitate its Pharmacopoeia collection in future.

Throughout history, medicinal and aromatic plants have been used extensively to cure a variety of ailments. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Cannabis sativa, specifically focusing on its legislative status, decriminalization, phytochemistry, antimicrobial activity, and safety. The study begins by briefly outlining the plant's history, including its cultivation, harvesting, and storage methods. The review analyzes extensively the antimicrobial properties of Cannabis sativa and its derivatives, specifically examining their reported antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic capabilities, which have been documented in databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Web of Science. The paper also discusses trends in studies about the plant object of the study, the different bioactive compounds that were identified in the plant (phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, cannabinoids, and terpenes), and safe consumption in several cannabis-based products including candies, desserts, wine and as food flavoring. Furthermore, this study has reported information about the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis use across the globe with a specific focus on Morocco because it has the largest cultivated area of C. sativa plant. However, some substances with potential antimicrobial properties were not investigated in this review due to the lack of data on their activity. The authors hope that their efforts will inspire future studies on the therapeutic uses of Cannabis sativa and its derivatives, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.

RespireAid™ (NRICM101) is an effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 traditional Chinese medicine formula and has been licensed as a drug or dietary supplement in Taiwan, Luxembourg, Australia, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, and Canada. In this study, we provided integrated quality control strategy to analyze the ingredient of RespireAid™. In addition, the lot-to-lot efficacy stabilities were also evaluated. We found that RespireAid™ comprised of monosaccharides and disaccharides (34.0%), maltodextrin (23.5%), inorganic elements and ash (12.2%), oligosaccharides and polysaccharides (11.4%), principal components (4.4%), moisture (4.0%), amino acids (3.5%), β-Cyclodextrin (0.25%), menthol (0.25%), and nucleotides (0.14%), while the remainder was unidentified (6.36%). This is the first time that the chemical composition of a complex traditional Chinese medicine was clarified using various analytical instruments. The lot-to-lot anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation efficacies of RespireAid™ were consistent, with average 50% scavenging concentrations of 0.22 ± 0.02 mg/mL and 5.76 ± 0.59 mg/mL, respectively. From a comprehensive quality control strategy point of view, RespireAid™, designed from a traditional Chinese medicine formula, displayed high quality, transparency, and efficacy. This integrated strategy provides a clear and reliable way to evaluate the quality of complex traditional Chinese medicines.

Taiwan specialty teas are produced with distinct manufacturing processes from specific cultivars of tea plants in Camellia. Due to the widespread transplantation of Taiwan tea cultivars and active international trading of tea materials, an accurate and reliable method to identify tea cultivars at the border is vital to protect the image of premium Taiwan specialty teas. In this study, we introduced the Taiwan Tea Variety Identification (TTVID) kit, a capillary electrophoresis-based multiplex PCR assay consisting of 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A database composing these 12 SSR loci genotypes in 144 cultivars was established for marker assessment and molecular diagnosis. The power of discrimination on a locus ranged from 0.7894 to 0.966 and the combined match probability of 12 SSR loci was 5.34e-14. Cultivar pairwise comparison among 144 accessions showed that over 90.6% of the pairs had differential genotypes on at least 10 of 12 SSR loci. Further assessment showed that the TTVID kit could unambiguously recognize the cultivars mixed in the loose-leaf teas processed with various degrees of fermentation and roasting. Our results suggested that this TTVID kit effectively identified cultivar composition in loose-leaf tea and is helpful for border control in preventing adulteration and fraud in the Taiwan tea market.

Skeletal muscle function deficits result in metabolic disease development and physical dysfunction in older adults. Sarcopenia is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass and strength with advancing age, and it increases the risks of mobility impairments, disease development, and mortality. Lifestyle interventions involving a combination of diet and exercise to prevent and attenuate sarcopenia warrant substantial research attention. Resistance exercise training under supervision is a safe and the most effective approach to reducing age-related muscle loss and improving multiple aspects of overall health in the older population. The beneficial effects of resistance exercise training on skeletal muscle mass may be augmented by specific dietary supplements (i.e., green tea-derived natural products). The purpose of this mini review is to provide an up-to-date, evidence-based account of the effectiveness of green tea-derived natural products for supporting resistance training-induced adaptations to prevent or attenuate age-related muscle mass loss. Based on animal and clinical studies, we provide insights into supplementation with green tea-derived natural products, which may assist in the growth or maintenance of skeletal muscle and subsequently delay the onset of age-related metabolic diseases in older adults.

Pulmonary injury is defined as a progressive inflammation. Extensive pro-inflammatory cytokines are secreted from alveolus, associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. The model of endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated lung cells has been applied to mimic the pulmonary injury. Some antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds can be used as chemopreventive agents of pulmonary injury. Quercetin-3-glucuronide (Q3G) has been showed to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-aging and anti-hypertension effects. The aim of the study is to examine the inhibitory potential of Q3G on pulmonary injury and inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, human lung fibroblasts MRC-5 cells pre-treated with LPS were demonstrated to cause survival loss and ROS generation, were recovered by Q3G. Q3G also exhibited the anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-treated cells with a reduction in the activation of NLRP3 [nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3] inflammasome, leading to pyroptosis. Also, Q3G showed the anti-apoptotic effect in the cells might be mediated via inhibition of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. To further explore in vivo pulmonary-protective effect of Q3G, C57BL/6 mice were intranasally exposed to a combination of LPS and elastase (LPS/E) to perform the pulmonary injury model. The results revealed that Q3G ameliorated pulmonary function parameters and lung edema in the LPS/E-induced mice. Q3G also suppressed the LPS/E-stimulated inflammation, pyroptosis and apoptosis in the lungs. Taken together, this study suggested the lung-protective potential of Q3G via downregulation of inflammation, pyroptotic and apoptotic cell death, contributing to its chemopreventive activity of pulmonary injury.

Standardised bomb calorimetry methods are essential to accurately quantify the gross energy within food and beverages, yet no accepted protocols exist. The objective of this review was to synthesise literature on food and beverage sample preparation methods used for conducting bomb calorimetry. This synthesis enhances our understanding of the extent to which methodological variances may currently affect estimates of the caloric values of dietary items. Five electronic databases were searched for peer reviewed literature on food and beverage energy measurement via bomb calorimetry. Data were extracted on seven identified methodological themes, including: (1) initial homogenisation, (2) sample dehydration, (3) post-dehydration homogenisation, (4) sample presentation, (5) sample weight, (6) sample frequency, and (7) equipment calibration. A tabular and narrative approach was used to synthesise the data. Studies that specifically explored the impact of any methodological variance on the energy derived from foods and/or beverages were also considered. In total, 71 documents describing food and beverage sample preparation techniques and processes used for bomb calorimetry were identified. Only 8% of studies described all seven identified sample preparation and calibration processes. The most frequent approaches used included: initial homogenisation - mixing or blending (n = 21); sample dehydration - freeze drying (n = 37); post-dehydration homogenisation - grinding (n = 24); sample presentation - pelletisation (n = 29); sample weight - 1g (n = 14); sample frequency - duplicate (n = 17); and equipment calibration - benzoic acid (n = 30). The majority of studies that have measured food and beverage energy via bomb calorimetry do not describe sample preparation and calibration methods in detail. The extent to which different sample preparation processes influence the energy derived from food and beverage items is yet to be fully elucidated. Use of a bomb calorimetry reporting checklist (described within) may assist with improving the methodological quality of bomb calorimetry studies.