Antiatherogenic Activities Research Articles

The Differential Effects of HDL Subpopulations on Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL)-Mediated VLDL Catabolism.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) subpopulations functional assessment is more relevant for HDL anti-atherogenic activity than cholesterol level. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of HDL-2 and HDL-3 on lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-mediated very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) catabolism related to hypertriglyceridemia development. VLDL and HDLs were isolated from serum by ultracentrifugation. VLDL was incubated with LPL in the absence and presence of total HDL or HDL subpopulations. Next, VLDL remnants were separated, and their composition and electrophoretic mobility was assessed. Both HDL subpopulations increased the efficiency of triglyceride lipolysis and apolipoprotein CII and CIII removal from VLDL up to ~90%. HDL-3 exerted significantly greater impact than HDL-2 on apolipoprotein E (43% vs. 18%, p < 0.001), free cholesterol (26% vs. 18%, p < 0.05) and phospholipids (53% vs. 43%, p < 0.05) removal from VLDL and VLDL remnant electrophoretic mobility (0.18 vs. 0.20, p < 0.01). A greater release of these components was also observed in the presence of total HDL with a low HDL-2/HDL-3 cholesterol ratio. Both HDL subpopulations affect VLDL composition during lipolysis, but HDL-3 exhibited a greater effect on this process. Altered composition of HDL related to significant changes in the distribution between HDL-2 and HDL-3 can influence the VLDL remnant features, affecting atherosclerosis progression.

Differential importance of endothelial and hematopoietic cell GLP-1Rs for cardiometabolic versus hepatic actions of semaglutide.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are used to treat diabetes and obesity and reduce rates of major cardiovascular events, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, the identity of GLP-1R–expressing cell types mediating the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1RA remains incompletely characterized. Herein, we investigated the importance of murine Glp1r expression within endothelial and hematopoietic cells. Mice with targeted inactivation of Glp1r in Tie2+ cells exhibited reduced levels of Glp1r mRNA transcripts in aorta, liver, spleen, blood, and gut. Glp1r expression in bone marrow cells was very low and not further reduced in Glp1rTie2–/– mice. The GLP-1RA semaglutide reduced the development of atherosclerosis induced by viral PCSK9 expression in both Glp1rTie2+/+ and Glp1rTie2–/– mice. Hepatic Glp1r mRNA transcripts were reduced in Glp1rTie2–/– mice, and liver Glp1r expression was localized to γδ T cells. Moreover, semaglutide reduced hepatic Tnf, Abcg1, Tgfb1, Cd3g, Ccl2, and Il2 expression; triglyceride content; and collagen accumulation in high-fat, high-cholesterol diet–fed Glp1rTie2+/+ mice but not Glp1rTie2–/– mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Tie2+ endothelial or hematopoietic cell GLP-1Rs are dispensable for the antiatherogenic actions of GLP-1RA, whereas Tie2-targeted GLP-1R+ cells are required for a subset of the antiinflammatory actions of semaglutide in the liver.

Molecular mechanisms of antiatherogenic drugs action

The purpose of this review is the analysis of the molecular mechanisms of lipid metabolism, their disorders leading to atherosclerosis, and the influence of modern antiatherogenic and antihyperlipidemic agents on atherogenic mechanisms. At the beginning of the review, a general description of atherosclerosis as pathology, its main characteristics and factors is given. The question of the complexity of the treatment of atherosclerosis and the problems arising in connection with the complexity is considered. Current models of the nature of atherosclerotic lesions are described. Next, we consider modern anti-atherosclerotic drugs used in clinical practice. Their nomenclature is given. Their basic biochemical mechanisms and the nature of their action are analyzed. Their negative effects and side effects are also considered. Then, the molecular and genetic mechanisms associated with atherosclerosis are analyzed in detail. The genes associated with lipid metabolism and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, their expression and regulation are considered. The question of the influence of known anti-atherosclerotic agents on their expression is also covered. A group of azole drugs and their effect on lipid metabolism are considered in the context of the search for new anti-atherogenic drugs. The final part of the review examines the relevance of the search for new anti-atherosclerotic agents and methods for modeling dyslipidemia as a model of conditions that correlate with anti-atherosclerotic vascular lesions. It was concluded that the search for antiatherogenic drugs among imidazole derivatives is promising.

PRACTICAL USE OF GOAT MILK AND COLOSTRUM

This review presents the protein and amino acid composition of both goat colostrums and milk and describes the properties of goat colostrums and milk components. In addition, the prospects of use of goat milk and colostrum in the food and cosmetics industry and the feasibility of use of goat milk for baby feeding are shown. Functional foods produced from goat milk have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antihypertensive and antiatherogenic activities in the human body. Goat milk cosmetics are very useful for maintaining a healthy skin and are effective in treatment of various skin diseases. Infant formula based on goat milk provides comfortable digestion for babies and are better at absorbing proteins, fats and other nutrients than infant formula based on cow’s milk.

Status of Adiponectin and hs-C-reactive Protein in Metabolic Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia, is a common basis for atherosclerotic vascular diseases in industrial countries exposed to overnutrition. Adiponectin is an adipose-derived plasma protein with anti-atherogenic and insulin-sensitizing activities. Materials and Methods: There were 46 subjects with MetS and 46 control groups. Mean serum level of adiponectin and high sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) were lower and higher in subjects with MetS than control groups, respectively. Results: The serum adiponectin in the cases 2.43 ± 0.83 μg/ml was lower compared to the controls 7.54 ± 0.94 μg/ml (P value was 0.001), the difference was statistically significant. The serum hs-CRP in the cases 3.8 ± 1.26 μg/ml was lower compared to the controls 1.4 ± 0.74 μg/ml (P value was 0.001), the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: The high hs-CRP and low adiponectin have a positive and negative relationship with certain MetS components. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was found to have a stronger link to the MetS than adiponectin. It appears that high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) may be a substantial risk factor for MetS. In contrast to prior findings, this study suggests that hs-CRP is more relevant than adiponectin as a diagnostic biomarker for MetS. These variations could be related to changes in lifestyle and food habits among Sambalpur residents with MetS.

The endemic plants – a valuable resource with vast potential in Bulgaria: A brief overview

Abstract. The plant kingdom with its natural products, both terrestrial and marine, has been widely studied. Plant-based products have long been used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Many natural compounds are reported to have a number of interesting and significant biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, analgesic, antidiabetic, antiatherogenic, antiproliferative, and cardioprotective and neuroprotective activities. In order to find a natural product, researchers often explore the possibilities given by nature. Special attention is paid to bioactive compounds synthesized by endemic plants as a specific resource of limited habitat. This review focuses on a brief overview of endemic plants in Bulgaria, most common in the mountainous regions of the country, with the aim to encourage the knowledge of these resources with vast potential for unique biological compounds and specific characteristics beneficial to humans for various purposes.

Phenolic Compounds in Whole Grain Sorghum and Their Health Benefits.

Sorghum grain (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a staple food grown across the globe, and is mainly cultivated in the semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. Recently, sorghum grain is increasingly utilized for human consumption, due to the gluten-free nature and potential phenolic-induced health benefits. Sorghum grain is rich in bioactive phenolic compounds, such as ferulic acid, gallic acid, vanillic acid, luteolin, and apigenin, 3-deoxyanthocyanidins (3-DXA), which are known to provide many health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-diabetic, and anti-atherogenic activities. Given an increasing trend of sorghum consumption for humans, this article reviews the content and profile of phenolics in sorghum. It covers aspects of their health benefits and explores their mechanisms of action. The impact of thermal processing, such as boiling, steaming, roasting, and extrusion on sorghum phenolics is also discussed. Compelling data suggest the biological functions of sorghum phenolics, however, further investigations appear warrant to clarify the gap in the current research, and identify promising research topics in future.

Antiatherogenic activity of silybin in Wistar rats: an experimental study

Background: Dyslipidemia is the major contributor to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, Atherosclerosis presently comprises one of the essential contributors to a global epidemic of cardiovascular disease and turn out to be the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Natural antioxidants have been shown to be effective in reducing lipid profiles and mitigate peroxidative modification of lipoproteins and atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to explore the antiatherogenic effect of silybin through its antioxidant mechanism in Wister rats fed on hypercholesterolemic diet.Methods: Male Wistar rats of 150-200 g were used for this study. Hypercholesterolemia in rats was induced by administration of high cholesterol diet. The Wister rats were divided into four groups, each with eight rats. After 60 days blood samples were drawn by retro-orbital puncture for biochemical analysis. The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and liver and aorta were dissected out and processed for histopathological study and biochemical analyses.Results: In the histopathological study high cholesterol fed Wister rats showed fatty degeneration of hepatocytes with leucocytic infiltration of sinusoids. The level of TBARS was significantly increased in high cholesterol diet fed rats (p&lt;0.05). Silybin at both doses [300 mg/kg (1593.00±81.08) and 600 mg/kg (1596.00±28.81)] reduced the plasma TBARS significantly (p&lt;0.05). The antioxidant enzyme levels were also reduced significantly in high cholesterol diet fed rats (p&lt;0.05).Conclusions: The study suggests a conclusive evidence of silybin has antiatherogenic action. Its safety profile, availability and low cost are an added advantage to the presently available pharmacological therapy. Hence, silybin can be considered in conjunction with other available dyslipidemic medication in the market.

Effects of Anthocyanins on Vascular Health.

Cardiovascular disorders are leading mortality causes worldwide, often with a latent evolution. Vascular health depends on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. Preventive medicine deserves special attention, focusing on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, including diet. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has well-known health benefits, especially due to its polyphenolic components. Anthocyanins, water-soluble flavonoid species, responsible for the red-blue color in plants and commonly found in berries, exert favorable effects on the endothelial function, oxidative stress, inhibit COX-1, and COX-2 enzymes, exert antiatherogenic, antihypertensive, antiglycation, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory activity, ameliorate dyslipidemia and arterial stiffness. The present review aims to give a current overview of the mechanisms involved in the vascular protective effect of anthocyanins from the human diet, considering epidemiological data, in vitro and in vivo preclinical research, clinical observational, retrospective, intervention and randomized studies, dietary and biomarker studies, and discussing preventive benefits of anthocyanins and future research directions.

The use of bacterial cultures to increase the content of conjugated linoleic acid in milk and dairy products

The bioactive properties of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) are associated with human health promotion processes, including anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, antiinflammatory and antidiabetic activity, and the ability to reduce body fat. The functional properties of the bioactive component of the fat phase of cow’s milk, called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), are described in this article. The content of conjugated linoleic acid in raw milk was studied using the capillary gas chromatography (GC) method. The content of CLA in raw milk was evaluated, taking into account the influence of the diet of feeding cows. Many samples of raw milk were studied in summer and winter for this purpose. It was determined that the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in the fat phase of milk in winter is lower than in summer, when the diet of cows is dominated by green feed. The content of conjugated linoleic acid in the summer period ranged from 122.3 to 372.2 mg/dm 3 , and in winter it ranged from 54.7 to 136.47 mg/dm 3 . Experimental data of the possibility of increasing the content of conjugated linoleic acid in the fat phase of milk by inserting bacterial cultures is also presented. Re sults of the parameters of production conjugated linoleic acid under the influence of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus were obtained. The use of these bacterial cultures allowed to increase the content of conjugated linoleic acid by 23–36% in the studied samples.

Physiology in Perspective: Insulin—100 Years of Physiological Discovery

Physiology in Perspective: Insulin—100 Years of Physiological Discovery

Synergistic Effect of Methyl Jasmonate and Abscisic Acid Co-Treatment on Avenanthramide Production in Germinating Oats.

The oat (Avena sativa L.) is a grain of the Poaceae grass family and contains many powerful anti-oxidants, including avenanthramides as phenolic alkaloids with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-itch, anti-irritant, and anti-atherogenic activities. Here, the treatment of germinating oats with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or abscisic acid (ABA) resulted in 2.5-fold (582.9 mg/kg FW) and 2.8-fold (642.9 mg/kg FW) increase in avenanthramide content, respectively, relative to untreated controls (232.6 mg/kg FW). Moreover, MeJA and ABA co-treatment synergistically increased avenanthramide production in germinating oats to 1505 mg/kg FW. Individual or combined MeJA and ABA treatment increased the expression of genes encoding key catalytic enzymes in the avenanthramide-biosynthesis pathway, including hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:hydrocyanthranilate N-hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HHT). Further analyses showed that six AsHHT genes were effectively upregulated by MeJA or ABA treatment, especially AsHHT4 for MeJA and AsHHT5 for ABA, thereby enhancing the production of all three avenanthramides in germinating oats. Specifically, AsHHT5 exhibited the highest expression following MeJA and ABA co-treatment, indicating that AsHHT5 played a more crucial role in avenanthramide biosynthesis in response to MeJA and ABA co-treatment of germinating oats. These findings suggest that elicitor-mediated metabolite farming using MeJA and ABA could be a valuable method for avenanthramide production in germinating oats.

The Susceptibility to Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis Is Exacerbated with Aging in C57B1/6 Mice.

The anti-atherogenic activity of HDL is mainly due to their capacity to mediate reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). However, it is not clear to what extent this activity is affected by aging or pro-atherogenic conditions. Three and 24-month-old C57Bl/6 mice were fed an atherogenic diet (high fat, high cholesterol) for 12 weeks. The aged mice displayed a significant reduction in the capacity of HDL to mediate RCT (29.03%, p < 0.0006). Interestingly, the atherogenic diet significantly stimulated the RCT process in both young and aged mice (241% and 201%, respectively, p < 0.01). However, despite this, significant amounts of cholesterol accumulated in the aortas of mice fed an atherogenic diet as compared to regular chow. The accumulation of cholesterol was more marked in the aortas of aged mice (110% increase, p < 0.002). ABCA1 and ABCG1 protein expression on macrophages decreased significantly (52 to 37% reduction, p < 0.002), whereas their expression on hepatic cells increased significantly (up to 590% for ABCA1 and 116% for ABCG1, p < 0.002). On the other hand, SR-BI protein expression on hepatic cells decreased significantly (42.85%, p < 0.0001). ABCG5, ABCG8, and CYP7a protein expression on hepatic cells was also higher in mice fed an atherogenic diet. The increase was age-dependent for both ABCG5 and ABCG8. Our results suggest that the susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis is exacerbated with aging and is a consequence of the dysregulation of the expression levels of membrane cholesterol transporters.

AMPK, metabolism, and vascular function.

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor activated during energy stress that plays a key role in maintaining energy homeostasis. This ubiquitous signaling pathway has been implicated in multiple functions including mitochondrial biogenesis, redox regulation, cell growth and proliferation, cell autophagy and inflammation. The protective role of AMPK in cardiovascular function and the involvement of dysfunctional AMPK in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease have been highlighted in recent years. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of AMPK in the regulation of blood flow in response to metabolic demand and the basis of the AMPK physiological anticontractile, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherogenic actions in the vascular system. Investigations by others and us have demonstrated the key role of vascular AMPK in the regulation of endothelial function, redox homeostasis, and inflammation, in addition to its protective role in the hypoxia and ischemia/reperfusion injury. The pathophysiological implications of AMPK involvement in vascular function with regard to the vascular complications of metabolic disease and the therapeutic potential of AMPK activators are also discussed.

EVALUATION OF THE CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MANGIFERIN IN AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY

Objective: The injurious effects of restoration of coronary blood flow following myocardial infarction is a major concern as reperfusion predisposes to myocardial injury. Mangiferin is a polyphenolic antioxidant present in the bark, fruits, roots and leaves of Mangifera indica Linn (Anacardiaceae). It is known to modulate biological targets in inflammation &amp; oxidative stress. It also possesses anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic; anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic actions. Hence, we hypothesized that the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of mangiferin may also be involved in the prevention of IR injury. Design and method: Male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups i.e. sham, IR-control, Mangiferin-40 + IR and Mangiferin 40 per se. Mangiferin was administered at a dose of 40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 15 days. On the 15th day, myocardial IR injury was induced by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery for 45 minutes followed by reperfusion for 60 minutes. At the end of the surgical procedure, the rats were sacrificed, the hearts excised and processed. Results: IR-control rats showed significant cardiac dysfunction along with a raised serum cardiac injury markers, and a significant decrease in tissue antioxidants as compared to sham group. Histopathological examination of IR rats showed myocardial necrosis, edema and inflammatory cell infiltration. Pre-treatment with mangiferin significantly suppressed myocardial oxidative damage, maintained membrane integrity, and attenuated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, pro-apoptotic proteins and TGF-beta. Additionally, mangiferin significantly reduced the phosphorylation of p38, and JNK and enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Conclusions: Mangiferin ameliorates myocardial IR injury by alleviating oxidative stress mediated apoptosis and modulating MAPK mediated inflammation.

A Phyto-pharmacological review of Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) B. Heyne ex Roth

The present highlight the comprehensive ethano-medicinal uses of B. maderaspatensis, to enlighten its phytochemical constituents and pharmacological uses which may useful in various types of diseases. Blepharis is a genus of plant in family Acanthaceae and it contains around 126 species found in seasonally dry to arid habitats. One of its plants, Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) B. Heyne ex Roth has been recognized by the Utinjan, Otigan, Utagan, and Chatushpatri in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and Sanskrit respectively. Leaf extract of B. maderaspatensis rich in phytoconstituents like saponins, mucilage, flavonoids like caffeic acid, rutin, quercetin and ferulic acid. It is useful in various types of diseases as proved by pharmacological studies as an anti-hyperlipidaemic, anti-atherogenic activities, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive activity, anti-ulcer activity, wound healing activity and in diabetic wound. The review suggests the similar uses and nomenclature of B. maderaspatensis to Blepharis edulis as mentioned in Wealth of India. Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) B. Heyne ex Roth has rich phytoconstituents and varied pharmacological activities. Further, it has similar uses as Blepharis edulis mentioned in Wealth of India. Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) B. Heyne ex Roth is the species of original Utingan stated in Ayurveda. Likewise, it has similar properties and action to the Blepharis edulis (Forssk.) Pers. which could be useful for different types of diseases like inflammation, ulcer, wound, diabetic wound. Present review highlights the phytoconstituents and different ethanomedicinal claims and some proven pharmacological activities.

Cardioprotective Effect of Quercetin and Sitagliptin in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Rats.

ObjectiveA previous study revealed a pronounced protective effect of combining quercetin (QC) with sitagliptin (STN) in testicular tissue. Accordingly, this study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of QC and STN each alone or in combination in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity in the rats.MethodologyThirty male adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups: the first group (control) treated with sodium chloride, the second group treated with DOX (3 mg/kg I.P. injection), the third group treated with DOX with a combination of QC (80 mg/kg), and STN (10 mg/kg), the fourth group treated with DOX and QC and the fifth group treated with DOX and STN. Blood was collected on day 22 and used for assessment of serum troponin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), total lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC). Atherogenic indices were also calculated. Cardiac tissue was sent for histopathological analysis.ResultsDOX produced a significant increase in the level of troponin, LDH, CKP, CRP, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and atherogenic index of plasma; and significantly decreased TAOC. The combination of quercetin and sitagliptin was more effective than each treatment alone in restoring the level of troponin, LDH, CKP, CRP, Cholesterol, LDL, TG, atherogenic index of plasma and significantly increased TAOC compared to DOX treated group. The histopathological finding also supports the biochemical results.ConclusionThe study revealed the cardioprotective effects of the combination of QC and STN which could be attributed to the additive effects of this combination through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid lowering and anti-atherogenic activities; suggesting it as a good therapeutic candidate to be tested in the clinical setting.

Antidyslipidemic Capacity of Cleome arabica (L.) in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Cleome arabica on lipid metabolism. Cleome arabica (L.) is a medicinal plant used traditionally by the population of North Africa for managing diabetes mellitus. This study was designed to evaluate the antidyslipidemic and antiatherogenic capacities of Cleome arabica (L.) in normal and streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic and antiatherogenic effects of oral administration of the aqueous extract of Cleome arabica (CAAE) (100 mg/kg) were evaluated in normal and diabetic rats. In addition, the quantification of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins as well as the antioxidant activity were performed. The results showed that the extract (CAAE) revealed an antidyslipidemic action by attenuating plasma levels of Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TGs), Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c) and glucose. Additionally, CAAE exhibited a potent antiatherogenic activity by reducing Atherogenic Coefficient (AC), Castelli's Risk index-I (cri-I), and Castelli's Risk Index-II (CRI-II). Furthermore, the findings indicated that CAAE is abundant with polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins, and exhibited an important antioxidant capacity. The study demonstrates that aqueous Cleome arabica extract was able to ameliorate lipid abnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus. This pharmacological activity might be due to the antioxidant capacities of phytochemical compounds.

Naringenin Scaffold as a Template for Drug Designing

Natural products provide cornucopia of heterocyclic systems. The nucleus of 2- phenyl chromane is one of the important and well-known heterocycles found in the natural products. Naringenin, a plant-derived flavanone (2-phenyl chroman-4-one) belongs to the family of flavanoids. It possesses diverse biologic activities such as antidiabetic, antiatherogenic, antidepressant, antiandrogenic, antiestrogenic, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, anti-Alzheimer, and memory enhancer activity. It has the potential to be used as an active pharmacophore. There have been reports of a number of molecular mechanisms underlying their beneficial activities. With emerging interest in traditional medicine and exploiting their potential based on a variety of health care systems, naringenin literature was thought to be explored. Further, this review aims to provide a new era of flavonoid-based therapeutic agents with new insights into naringenin and its derivatives as a lead compound in drug design.

Avaliação da Atividade Antioxidante e Características Físico-Químicas de Polpa de Romã ( Punica Granatum, L.)

Diversos vegetais têm sido estudados como fonte de antioxidantes naturais em substituição aos sintéticos. Embora muito conhecida e com muitas propriedades benéficas para a saúde, tais como antiteratogênica, antiproliferativa e ação anti-inflamatória, a romã ainda é pouco consumida no Brasil. Estudos têm relacionado a romã (Punica granatum, L) como fonte de substâncias que apresentam propriedades antioxidantes. As substâncias antioxidantes atuam retardando o envelhecimento e previnindo doenças crônicas. Também impedem os efeitos danosos dos radicais livres e a oxidação das moléculas que constituem as membranas das células. Os antioxidantes sintéticos são potencialmente carcinogênicos quando consumidos em doses elevadas e por tempo prolongado. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antioxidante, em extratos etanólico e metanólico de polpa de romã Punica granatum, L, pelo método DPPH, utilizando o BHT como padrão de antioxidante sintético e, adicionalmente as características físico-químicas da polpa. Os resultados indicaram que o extrato metanólico nas concentrações de 1mg/mL e 0,1mg/mL, obtiveram um porcentual de inibição de 49,02% e 21,57 % respectivamente, o que indica um resultado muito favorável por se tratar de um extrato e não de substância isolada. Ambos os extratos apresentaram porcentagem de inibição menor que o antioxidante sinético BHT. Dos parâmetros físico-químicos encontrados para Polpa de Romã neste estudo, apenas o valor de pH, se encontra abaixo do padrão mínimo, descrito no Decreto nº 50.040/1961 os demais parâmetros estão de acordo.