Anticarcinogenic Research Articles

The Intricate Relationship between Melatonin and Breast Cancer: A Short Review.

Melatonin is a relatively recently isolated hormone, produced by the pineal gland. Its implication in several cell functions has augmented interest from scientists worldwide. There is ongoing research investigating the deterrent relationship between melatonin and malignancies and in particular breast cancer. The aim of this article is to review some of the most important findings concerning the effect of melatonin on cancer biology, from both preclinical and clinical studies providing an insight to the complex biological actions of this molecule, as well as their potential significance. The last part concentrates on the oncostatic activities of melatonin on breast cancer and special attention is given on the interplay between melatonin and estrogen. Epidemiological, experimental and clinical evidence indicates that this area is worth further investigation.

The Intricate Relationship between Melatonin and Breast Cancer: A Short Review.

Melatonin is a relatively recently isolated hormone, produced by the pineal gland. Its implication in several cell functions has augmented interest from scientists worldwide. There is ongoing research investigating the deterrent relationship between melatonin and malignancies and in particular breast cancer. The aim of this article is to review some of the most important findings concerning the effect of melatonin on cancer biology, from both preclinical and clinical studies providing an insight to the complex biological actions of this molecule, as well as their potential significance. The last part concentrates on the oncostatic activities of melatonin on breast cancer and special attention is given on the interplay between melatonin and estrogen. Epidemiological, experimental and clinical evidence indicates that this area is worth further investigation.

Produção de levana por fermentação submersa utilizando Zymomonas mobilis cct 4494

A levana é formada por unidades de frutose e produzida por micro-organismos a partir da fermentação de um meio de cultura contendo sacarose e sais minerais. É um biopolímero com aplicações industriais usado na área alimentícia (fixador de cores e sabores, espessante e estabilizante) e também na farmacêutica (substituto de plasma sanguíneo, imunomodulador, anticarcinogênico e hipocolesterolêmico). Esse trabalho teve como objetivo abordar especificamente aspectos relacionados ao delineamento da produção de levana pela bactéria Zymomonas mobilis CCT 4494, variando os parâmetros de uma fermentação submersa. As condições para a fermentação e produção foram avaliadas por um planejamento fatorial e foi aplicada a metodologia de superfície de resposta. Os resultados demonstram que o baixo valor de p encontrado para o intercepto levana (Y1), indicou que os níveis estudados nesta pesquisa foram bem escolhidos e que o coeficiente de regressão da equação descreveu o experimento acima de 99% de confiança. Das variáveis independentes analisadas, a agitação e sua combinação binária com a temperatura apresentaram as maiores diferenças significativas nos resultados. O maior cultivo do biopolímero foi de 10,58 g.L-1 de levana. Os valores de levana e da biomassa reduziram significativamente em temperaturas superiores a 30 °C e o produto da fermentação, como o crescimento de Zymomonas mobilis CCT 4494, foram proporcionais ao aumento da concentração de sacarose testada.

Metabolitos secundarios con actividad medicinal extraídos de hongos provenientes de Centroamérica

Existe una gran diversidad de hongos que poseen actividad medicinal en Centroamérica y de ellos se pueden extraer los metabolitos secundarios responsables y adecuados para el tratamiento de distintas enfermedades. En esta revisión se realizó una investigación acerca de seis hongos específicos que se utilizan para el tratamiento de padecimientos físicos: Penicillium chrysogenum (P. chrysogenum), Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), Trametes versicolor (T. versicolor), Schizophyllum commune (S. commune), Pleurotus mutilus (P. mutilus), Lentinula edodes (L. edodes), y un último hongo que tiene propiedades alucinógenas útiles en el tratamiento de enfermedades mentales: Psilocybe cubensis (P. cubensis). Se encontró que los metabolitos secundarios de mayor importancia para la industria médica son la penicilina y la tiamulina como antibióticos, los triterpenos por su actividad anticancerígena, diversos tipos de polisacáridos que tienen actividad antioxidante, antiparasitarios, estimulantes del sistema inmune y reguladores del colesterol. Asimismo, se estudió el alucinógeno psilocibina y su potencial en tratamientos de psicoterapia.

Studies on the Antimutagenicity and Antioxidant Activity of the Hot Water Extract of Glechoma hederacea

Several studies have demonstrated that herbal plants contain various potential antioxidants and these antioxidant components may be potential antimutagens or anticarcinogens. Glechoma hederacea belongs to the Labiatae family. According to ancient Chinese prescriptions, G. hederacea was used for treating diuresis and stimulating blood circulation. However, there are few reports on its biophysical functions to date. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of the hot water extract of G. hederacea (HWG). G. hederacea was extracted with distilled water at 100℃ for 3h. The antioxidant activities tested included α,α-diphenyl-s-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and superoxide anion radical-scavenging effects, Fe^2+ -che1ating ability, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition. The in vitro mutagenic and antimutagenic properties of the extracts were investigated using the Ames test. The results showed that HWG possessed antioxidant characteristics. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of HWG were significantly higher than those of Vitamin C and Trolox in terms of superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and Fe^2+ -chelating ability (p ＜ 0.05). The results of Ames test indicated that HWG had no mutagenicity toward all tester strains including Salmonella typhimurium TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535 with/without the metabolic activator (S9 mix). The extracts had marked inhibition effects against the mutagenicities of the diagnostic mutagens with the S9 mix System. The HWG showed antioxidant and anti-mutagenic potential. However, the active compounds of HWG need be further investigated.

Vaticanol C, a phytoalexin, induces apoptosis of leukemia and cancer cells by modulating expression of multiple sphingolipid metabolic enzymes.

ABSTRACTResveratrol (RSV) has recently attracted keen interest because of its pleiotropic effects. It exerts a wide range of health-promoting effects. In addition to health-promoting effects, RSV possesses anti-carcinogenic activity. However, a non-physiological concentration is needed to achieve an anti-cancer effect, and its in vivo bioavailability is low. Therefore, the clinical application of phytochemicals requires alternative candidates that induce the desired effects at a lower concentration and with increased bioavailability. We previously reported a low IC50 of vaticanol C (VTC), an RSV tetramer, among 12 RSV derivatives (Ito T. et al, 2003). However, the precise mechanism involved remains to be determined. Here, we screened an in-house chemical library bearing RSV building blocks ranging from dimers to octamers for cytotoxic effects in several leukemia and cancer cell lines and their anti-cancer drug-resistant sublines. Among the compounds, VTC exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, which was partially inhibited by a caspase 3 inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK. VTC decreased the expression of sphingosine kinase 1, sphingosine kinase 2 and glucosylceramide synthase by transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms, and increased cellular ceramides/dihydroceramides and decreased sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). VTC-induced sphingolipid rheostat modulation (the ratio of ceramide/S1P) is thought to be involved in cellular apoptosis. Indeed, exogenous S1P addition modulated VTC cytotoxicity significantly. A combination of SPHK1, SPHK2, and GCS chemical inhibitors induced sphingolipid rheostat modulation, cell growth suppression, and cytotoxicity similar to that of VTC. These results suggest the involvement of sphingolipid metabolism in VTC-induced cytotoxicity, and indicate VTC is a promising prototype for translational research.

Capparis spinosa’nın yara iyileşmesi üzerindeki etkisi: Sıçanlarda klinik ve histomorfometrik bir çalışma

Amaç: Capparis spinosa (C. Spinosa) antioksidan, antienflamatuar, antialerjik, antiviral ve antikanserojenik özelliği gösteren flavanoit molekülü içerir. Bu çalışmanın amacı sıçanlarda palatinal bölgede oluşturulan yara modelinde C. spinosanın yara iyileşmesi üzerindeki etkisinin değerlendirilmesidir. Yöntem: Çalışmada 60 adet erkek Wistar sıçan kullanıldı. Başlangıçta iyileşme referansı olarak (0 gün) altı hayvan sakrifiye edildi. Sıçanlar C. spinosa, Klorheksidin (Klx) ve Kontrol (K) grubu olarak üç gruba ayrıldı. Tüm gruptaki denekler rastgele seçilerek altışar sıçandan oluşan dokuz alt grup oluşturuldu. Anestezi altına sıçanların damaklarının tam ortasında punch ile 3 mm çapında sirküler eksizyonel yara yüzeyleri oluşturuldu. Mukoperiosteal kısım keskin diseksiyonla uzaklaştırıldı ve açık kemik yüzeyindeki alan sekonder iyileşmeye bırakıldı. C. Spinosa, 1 ml/gün olacak şeklide gavaj yoluyla lokal olarak uygulandı. Sıçanlar yedinci, 14. ve 21. günlerde sakrifiye edildi ve yara bölgesinin fotoğrafları çekildi. Her bir fotoğraf özel bir programa aktarılarak defekt bölgesindeki yara alanı ölçüldü. Histolojik kesitler alınarak enflamatuar hücre varlığı, epitelizasyon ve iyileşme düzeylerine bakıldı. Bulgular: Epitelyal marjinler arasındaki ortalama yara alanı, tüm gruplarda zamanla önemli ölçüde azaldı (p <0.05). C. Spinosa grubu, Klx ve K grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında yedi, 14 ve 21. günlerde (sırasıyla 6.43±0.65; 3.87±0.50; 0.94±0.39) belirgin bir yara alanı azalması gözlemlenmiştir. 21. günde, kontrol grubunda hala enflamatuar hücreler gözlenmiştir. Sonuç: Çalışmanın bulguları ışığında C. Spinosa yara iyileşmesini hızlandırarak yumuşak dokunun iyileşmesinde olumlu etkileri gözlenmiştir.

Resveratrol and radiation biological effects

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, a phenolic compound present in wines and several plants. This compound is related to abroad spectrum of biological activities such as antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects that are very important inprevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and other diseases caused by oxidative processes. Over the last years,biological effects of ionizing radiation in the presence of resveratrol have been studied in different cell cultures. Theaim of this study was to verify the effect of gamma radiation on mouse connective tissue cells (NCTC clone 929) inculture in the presence of trans-resveratrol. Cell viabilities were analyzed by neutral red uptake assay. The resultsdemonstrated in vitro the radioprotective effect of trans-resveratrol on cell culture and it was more pronounced whencell culture was irradiated at 500-800 Gy doses in the presence of resveratrol concentrations between 12.5 and 25μM. These results provide evidence that trans-resveratrol alters the cellular response to ionizing radiation,expanding the knowledge of resveratrol biological properties in physiological and pathological processes,contributing to the development of future studies about the possibility of including resveratrol and its derivatives indietary supplements given to cancer patients during radiotherapy.

High-pressure Fractionation of Tropical Fruits with Potential Antibacterial Activity: Mangifera Indica L. and Bactris Guineensis

The great interest in the potential health benefits of tropical fruits is due to their high content of antioxidants and phytochemicals. Colombia ranks as the second country with the major biodiversity worldwide. B. guineensis (Arecaceae) is a palm that grows in Colombia and Central America. The purple-black fruits of this plant are rich in thermal-stable anthocyanins. M. indica L. (Anacardiaceae) is a great source of phenolic compounds. It has multiple functional properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anticarcinogenic activities. In this work, high-pressure extraction techniques: supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and enhanced solvent extraction (ESE), and two different fractionation techniques: i) cascade fractionation and ii) sequential fractionation were applied. Fractions were analyzed by means of their phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity against different bacterial strains: E. coli, P. mirabilis, S. Aurerus, S. enteritidis, E. aerogenes and P. aeruginosa. The sequential fractionation of B. guineensis pulp consisted in three steps: 1) supercritical CO2, 2) CO2 + 50% ethanol, and 3) CO2/EtOH/H2O (50:25:25). A red fraction rich in phenolic compounds, high antioxidant and antibacterial capacity (inhibition zone ~ 10 mm) was obtained in the last step. A cascade fractionation of M. indica leaves using CO2 + 50% H2O and three separators (S1, S2 and S3) was evaluated. Fractions obtained in S1 and S2 presented antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity against P. mirabilis, and S2 also against S. Aureus and Salmonella.

Efeito modulador da Ritalina® (metilfenidato) sobre a ação carcinogênica da doxorrubicina em Drosophila melanogaster

Introdução: A Ritalina® (metilfenidato) é um estimulante do sistema nervoso central, derivado da anfetamina. Ficou conhecida por seu uso em crianças e adultos diagnosticados com transtornos de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade, e alternativamente para tratamento de narcolepsia, obesidade e como estimulante para estudantes. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito carcinogênico e/ou anticarcinogênico da Ritalina®. Método: Para tanto, larvas wts+/+mwh foram tratadas com o indutor tumoral doxorrubicina (0,4 mM) e com três diferentes concentrações de Ritalina® (100; 200 e 400 μM). Resultados: Mostraram que a Ritalina® apresentou atividade anticarcinogênica, visto que houve diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) nas frequências de tumores identificados com a presença da referida substância, quando comparadas à frequência de tumores no controle positivo isolado. Conclusão: Sendo assim, é possível inferir que, nas presentes condições experimentais, a Ritalina® apresentou efeito modulador sobre danos induzidos pela doxorrubicina, reduzindo a frequência de tumores em todas as concentrações testadas em células somáticas de Drosophila melanogaster.

PROSPECTS OF PRODUCTION OF ALLIUM SEEDS SPROUTS FORTIFIED WITH SELENIUM

Sprouts of agricultural crops seeds are considered to be functional food products with high content of antioxidants. Though seeds of Allium species plants are used in some countries as spices the possibilities of appropriate sprouts utilization have never been investigated so far. Evaluation of perennial and A. cepa seeds biofortification with selenium revealed high nutritional value of the resulting sprouts characterized not only by high selenium content exclusively in a form of selenomethyl selenocysteine (a natural anti carcinogen) but also with high levels of antioxidant activity and high polyphenol content. It was demonstrated that among seven studied representatives of Allium species Allium cepa variety Krasnoye krugevo and perennial onion Allium fistulosum give seeds sprouts with the highest levels of selenium (10500-11000 μg/kg d.w.), polyphenols (9.3-10.8 mg-eq GA/g d.w) and the largest values of antioxidant activity (14.7-17.1 mg-eq GA/g d.w.). Utilization of one g of dried seeds sprouts powder, fortified with selenium provides up to 15.7% of the adequate consumption level of selenium exclusively in a form of selenomethyl selenocysteine possessing powerful anti carcinogenic activity.

Alimentos funcionais: conhecimento e consumo por usuários de restaurante self-service em capital do nordeste brasileiro

Objetivo: Descrever o conhecimento e consumo de alimentos funcionais por usuários de restaurante self-service da capital piauiense. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal descritivo, conduzido com 161 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, idade de 20 a 59 anos. Os usuários foram investigados quanto à definição de alimentos funcionais. A dieta habitual foi avaliada por aplicação de um questionário de frequência alimentar, adaptado para alimentos funcionais, com as categorias de consumo: habitual, não habitual, raramente consumido e nunca consumido. Os dados obtidos foram analisados por estatística descritiva com auxílio do software IBM SPSS Statistics. O estudo foi aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: A amostra, com média de idade de 38,6 ± 9,0 anos, apresentou maioria masculina (57,8%), com ensino superior completo (73,3%). Desta, apenas 36,6% dos indivíduos definiram corretamente a terminologia “alimentos funcionais”, em contradição ao esperado para escolaridade elevada como determinante do conhecimento e qualidade alimentar. A dieta habitual caracterizou-se por baixa ingestão semanal de frutas, hortaliças, cereal integral, leguminosas, óleos insaturados, peixes, oleaginosas, chás e especiarias, sendo insuficiente, portanto, em compostos antioxidantes, anti-inflamatórios e anticarcinogênicos, entre os quais se destacam: resveratrol, licopeno, organossulforetos, catequinas, gingerol, curcumina e ômega 3. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a população de adultos ativos participante deste estudo possui conhecimento inadequado sobre alimentos funcionais, os quais não estão incluídos em sua alimentação habitual.

Research progress of long-noncoding RNA in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy, characterized by damaged organs or tissues due to a large number of monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) secretions. Over the past ten years, although new drug treatment strategy has improved survival rate of MM patients, MM is still incurable. We need to find new therapeutic targets. Long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA), a noncoding RNA with more than 200 nucleotides in length, regulates expression of genes at epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, and plays a carcinogenic and/or anti-carcinogenic role in tumors. Now, lncRNA is becoming a research hotspot. Lung adenocarcinoma transcript (MALAT)1, maternally expressed gene (MEG)3 and other lncRNA are abnormally expressed in MM, which regulate the occurrence and development of MM, and compete for microRNA (miRNA) and regulate gene expression as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). The corresponding pathogenic lncRNA can be found from the carcinogenic pathway of MM, and can be used to design lncRNA therapeutic target of MM. In this review, the current relationship between the MM and lncRNA is reviewed, and the potential of lncRNA as a biomarker for MM diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic target for MM were discussed. Key words: RNA, long noncoding; Multiple myeloma; Gene expression regulation; Molecular targeted therapy

Potential health effects of the popular compound of artichoke: Cynarin (CYN)

Functional food components are usually related with disease prevention. Cynarin is one of the biologically active functional food components which is the major dicaffeoylquinic acid derivative found in artichoke. Although artichoke contains very low amount of cynarin, it still duplicates the effects of artichoke. Cynarin is one of the biologically active functional food components that have potential effects on choleretic and cholesterol lowering, hepatoprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-HIV, antioxidative, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic and immune modulator activity. To sum up, more molecular, clinical and epidemiological studies on cynarin is necessary to be able to use it as a disease preventive agent.

Fungal colonization improved growth and modulated the expression of myrosinase in black cabbage

The role of beneficial microorganisms, such as mycorrhizas, in improving the resistance to environmental stress of colonized plants is well-known. Plants of Brassicaceae family are of large economic importance, especially for the synthesis of anticarcinogenic compounds such as glucosinolates and their derivatives isothiocyanates. The endophyte fungus Piriformospora indica is able to colonize them and improves their growth and response to environmental stress. However, no information are available on the impact of colonization on glucosinolate metabolism. In this work, colonization of black cabbage (Brassica oleracea cv. Acephala sabellica) is reported as well as the effects on plant growth and on the expression of myrosinase encoding genes, the isothyocianate producing enzymes. Results indicate that P. indica successfully colonized black cabbage as validated by the expression of the marker gene Ptef1. Colonized plants showed increase of biomass weights and shoot length respect to the uncolonized plants and a decrease of myrosinase gene expression. This last finding indicates that P. indica might affect the resistance against biotic stress of black cabbage.

Korean Solar Salt Ameliorates Colon Carcinogenesis in an AOM/DSS-Induced C57BL/6 Mouse Model.

The effects of Korean solar salt on an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colon cancer C57BL/6 mouse model were studied. Korean solar salt samples (SS-S, solar salt from S salt field; SS-Yb, solar salt from Yb salt field), nine-time-baked bamboo salt (BS-9x, made from SS-Yb), purified salt (PS), and SS-G (solar salt from Guérande, France) were orally administered at a concentration of 1% during AOM/DSS colon cancer induction, and compared for their protective effects during colon carcinogenesis in C57BL/6 mice. SS-S and SS-Yb suppressed colon length shortening and tumor counts in mouse colons. Histological evaluation by hematoxylin and eosin staining also revealed suppression of tumorigenesis by SS-S. Conversely, PS and SS-G did not show a similar suppressive efficacy as Korean solar salt. SS-S and SS-Yb promoted colon mRNA expression of an apoptosis-related factor and cell-cycle-related gene and suppressed pro-inflammatory factor. SS-Yb baked into BS-9x further promoted these anti-carcinogenic efficacies. Taken together, the results indicate that Korean solar salt, especially SS-S and SS-Yb, exhibited anti-cancer activity by modulating apoptosis- and inflammation-related gene expression during colon carcinogenesis in mice, and bamboo salt baked from SS-Yb showed enhanced anti-cancer functionality.

Nuts and Brain Health: Nuts Increase EEG Power Spectral Density (μV&[sup2]) for Delta Frequency (1–3Hz) and Gamma Frequency (31–40 Hz) Associated with Deep Meditation, Empathy, Healing, as well as Neural Synchronization, Enhanced Cognitive Processing, Recall, and Memory All Beneficial For Brain Health

Nuts are a major source of flavonoids. They are potent antioxidants with known mechanisms that provide cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic, and anti‐inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that absorbed flavonoids penetrate and accumulate in brain hippocampal regions involved in learning and memory. Neurobiological correlates of flavonoids cascade an expression of neuroprotective and neuromodulatory proteins that promote neurogenesis, blood‐flow improvement, and angiogenesis supporting brain wellness. However, the correlates of neuroelectric activities that are associated with nut flavonoid effects on neurocognition, neuronal synchronization, memory, recall, mood and behavior are not well known.PurposeProvide evidence of a relationship between antioxidant concentration in nuts and electroencephalography (EEG) brain state frequency modulation, specifically gamma wave band frequency 31–40 Hz (γBA).MethodsA study was conducted using walnuts, pecans, pistachios, peanuts, cashews and almonds. EEG Power Spectral Density μV2 (PSD) was acquired during a sequence of enhancing sensory awareness tasks ranging from cognition of past experience, visualization, olfaction, taste, and finally consumption of nuts. EEG wave band activity was recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp regions F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz and P4 using the FDA approved EEG B‐Alert 10X System™, Carlsbad, CA. Second by second 9 bandwidths (BW) were recorded through the study. The PSD BW data were referenced to eyes closed baseline task, and then Z‐scored.ResultsZ‐scores were graphed and analyzed for each task along with BW across 0–40 Hz. The overall respective BW were collapsed across all 9 EEG channels. With descriptive analysis, the most profound observation was Gamma and Delta wave band frequencies showed the highest PSD response during the TASK of placement of the nuts in mouth (p<0.01). The lowest PSD response for all nuts studied was alpha slow frequency. It was observed that both δBA and γBA were highest for pecans with an antioxidant concentration of 1743 μmoles; followed by walnuts, with an antioxidant concentration of 2772 μmoles; and for cashews, with an antioxidant concentration 48 μmoles.ConclusionThis study provides objective evidence that PSD for different brain EEG wave bands are modulated differentially by different types of nuts. We propose this protocol as an assessment tool to determine the efficacy of various types of nuts effecting modulation of EEG frequency bands 0–40 Hz & subsequent neurochemical modulation. However, the primary purpose of this study was to focus specifically on δBA 1–3 Hz and γBA 31–40 Hz so as to determine if the suggested benefits of nuts are associated with significant increases in these specific frequencies. These data appear to support an association of nuts' health benefits with an increase in δBA and γBA. Further research needs to be done to elaborate and understand the significance of these unique frequency patterns and ratios relative to nut consumption and brain health.Support or Funding InformationSchool Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University

Phenolic profiles and antioxidant abilities of various extracts from white maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa)

Maitake (Grifola frondosa), a basidiomycete fungus belonging to the Polyporaceae family is consumed as a valuable mushroom in the Asia. Extensive studies focus on the anti‐carcinogenic and immune‐modulatory aspects of the polysaccharide fractions, such as maitake D (MD) and X fractions, that are isolated from a boiling water extract of grey fruiting bodies. However, the non‐polysaccharide bioactive compounds, especially the phenolic compounds, are rarely studied in the maitake mushroom and never studied in the white maitake. The white maitake fruiting body was extracted with 50% ethanol (v/v) and cold water into fractions (F) 1 and 2, respectively. The F2 was further extracted with 75% ethanol (v/v) to remove the polysaccharide, and the soluble fraction was denoted as fraction 3. All fractions were lyophilized for further analysis including the DPPH scavenging ability, total polyphenol, flavonoid and the individual phenolic compound content. Results indicated that the white maitake contained a large amount, 62% w/w, of cold‐water soluble material. The DPPH scavenging effect was F3>F2>>F1as the concentration was equal or greater than 0.4 mg/mL. At 1.2 mg/mL, the DPPH scavenging effect of F3 was almost equal to that of ascorbic acid. The F2 and F3 contained much more total polyphenol and flavonoid than F1. The major phenolic compounds identified were tannic and gallic acids. The F1–3 contained (mg/g extract) 1.33 ± 0.01, 12.33 ± 0.42 and 13.33 ± 0.32 of tannic acid, and 0.43 ± 0.02, 5.68 ± 0.12, and 6.45 ± 0.32 of galllic acid. The antioxidant ability was strongly and positively correlated with the total polyphenol, flavonoid, tannic, and gallic acid content, respectively. Therefore, this study suggests that cold water extract of white maitake exhibited strong DPPH scavenging effect, which was likely to be mainly contributed by tannic and gallic acids.

Mechanism of anticarcinogenic function of ellagic acid in gastrointestinal cancers

Recent in vitro and in vivo experiments have revealed that ellagic acid and its metabolites can inhibit the growth of digestive system malignant tumor cells by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, breaking DNA binding to carcinogens, blocking virus infection, disturbing inflammation, angiogenesis and drug-resistance processes required for tumor metastasis. Ellagic acid and its metabolites are potential chemoprevention and therapeutic drugs against human cancers. Key words: Ellagic acid; Digestive system neoplasms; Chemoprevention; Molecular mechanisms of pharmacological action

Synergistic application of tea extract and lactic acid bacterial fermentation in enhancing bioavailability and anti-oxidative effectiveness of tea flavonoids in vitro and in vivo

Tea has been a popular health-promoting beverage worldwide and a fascinating field of research for decades. Tea flavonoids (TFLs), the major phenolic components in tea, have been reported to exhibit high antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo. Fermentation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is considered as a simple and valuable biotechnology for improving the safety, nutritional and sensory properties of various food products. This project aimed to examine the potential of LAB fermentation to enhance the stability and cellular uptake of TFLs, the overall antioxidant activity of tea extracts (TEs), and the protective effect of TEs against oxidative stress in human colon cell lines. Our findings indicate that LAB fermentation can be an efficient way to stabilize TFLs during food processing, to enhance TFL bioavailability and to protect colon cells from oxidative damage.