Use Of Nutraceuticals Research Articles

Quadriceps muscle group function and after total knee arthroplasty-asystematic narrative update.

This article systematically summarizes the present evidences, published in the last 20years, regarding the pre- and post-operative factors, which may influence recovery of the function of the quadriceps muscle group following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We following the PRISMA methodology, including meta-analyses and high-level evidence studies (prospective trials, and, when unavailable, retrospective studies). Pubmed and Cochrane databases: 582 articles were identified and 54 of them were selected. Tourniquets inflated at high pressure exert a detrimental effect on the quadriceps muscle group. Faster quadriceps recovery takes place using mini-invasive approaches, an eight-week rehabilitation period including balance training and the use of nutraceuticals. Pre-habilitation and pre-operative factors, analgesic methods and different TKA implants. Telerehabilitation seems a cost-effective tool for rehabilitation after TKA. Patients' optimization protocols before TKA should include standardized nutraceuticals intake.

Carotenoids: Considerations for Their Use in Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, Nutricosmetics, Supplements, Botanicals, and Novel Foods in the Context of Sustainability, Circular Economy, and Climate Change

Carotenoids are versatile isoprenoids that are important in food quality and health promotion. There is a need to establish recommended dietary intakes/nutritional reference values for carotenoids. Research on carotenoids in agro-food and health is being propelled by the two multidisciplinary international networks, the Ibero-American Network for the Study of Carotenoids as Functional Foods Ingredients (IBERCAROT; http://www.cyted.org) and the European Network to Advance Carotenoid Research and Applications in Agro-Food and Health (EUROCAROTEN; http://www.eurocaroten.eu). In this review, considerations for their safe and sustainable use in products mostly intended for health promotion are provided. Specifically, information about sources, intakes, and factors affecting bioavailability is summarized. Furthermore, their health-promoting actions and importance in public health in relation to the contribution of reducing the risk of diverse ailments are synthesized. Definitions and regulatory and safety information for carotenoid-containing products are provided. Lastly, recent trends in research in the context of sustainable healthy diets are summarized.

Pathophysiological Basis for Nutraceutical Supplementation in Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Review.

There is evidence demonstrating that heart failure (HF) occurs in 1–2% of the global population and is often accompanied by comorbidities which contribute to increasing the prevalence of the disease, the rate of hospitalization and the mortality. Although recent advances in both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches have led to a significant improvement in clinical outcomes in patients affected by HF, residual unmet needs remain, mostly related to the occurrence of poorly defined strategies in the early stages of myocardial dysfunction. Nutritional support in patients developing HF and nutraceutical supplementation have recently been shown to possibly contribute to protection of the failing myocardium, although their place in the treatment of HF requires further assessment, in order to find better therapeutic solutions. In this context, the Optimal Nutraceutical Supplementation in Heart Failure (ONUS-HF) working group aimed to assess the optimal nutraceutical approach to HF in the early phases of the disease, in order to counteract selected pathways that are imbalanced in the failing myocardium. In particular, we reviewed several of the most relevant pathophysiological and molecular changes occurring during the early stages of myocardial dysfunction. These include mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum stress, insufficient nitric oxide (NO) release, impaired cardiac stem cell mobilization and an imbalanced regulation of metalloproteinases. Moreover, we reviewed the potential of the nutraceutical supplementation of several natural products, such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a grape seed extract, Olea Europea L.-related antioxidants, a sodium–glucose cotransporter (SGLT2) inhibitor-rich apple extract and a bergamot polyphenolic fraction, in addition to their support in cardiomyocyte protection, in HF. Such an approach should contribute to optimising the use of nutraceuticals in HF, and the effect needs to be confirmed by means of more targeted clinical trials exploring the efficacy and safety of these compounds.

Effects of Lycium barbarum and fish collagen in cheese on the proteolytic degradation profile with anti‐ACE activity

The effects of L. barbarum (LB) and/or fish collagen (FC) in cheese on the proteolytic degradation profile with anti-ACE activity were investigated. Four types of cheeses were made plain cheese (control), LB-cheese, FC-cheese (control), and LB-cheese + FC. Acidification of cheese, milk proteins proteolysis, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was performed for 28 days. The OPA peptides content of LB-cheese was higher (p < .05) than control on 28 days. The addition of FC in LB-cheese improved OPA peptides’ content. The proteins degradation of β-lactoglobulin, α- and β-caseins increased in the presence of LB in cheese whereas α- and β-caseins degradation improved in LB + FC cheese. ACE inhibitory activity was decreased (p < .05) in LB-cheese but not in LB + FC. The combination of LB and FC in cheese showed the most enhancements on the production of peptides that may act as an anti-ACE activity. Novelty impact statement ACE inhibitory peptides from cheese could be considered as a potential approach for use in nutraceuticals for the prevention and management of hypertension. People have a high demand to consume functional dairy products and there are big opportunities for the functional dairy market, this has driven the cheese industry to the development of commercial new products in the market. L. barbarum and fish collagen contain significant amounts of biologically active compounds that can be formulated into cheese to provide health properties such as anti-ACE activity.

Agroecological practices to support tropical livestock farming systems: a Caribbean and Latin American perspective.

With global climate changes currently occurring, and particularly given the severe energy and food shortages occurring throughout tropical regions, agroecological (AE) systems are drawing renewed attention as an efficient alternative to intensive models of production, particularly unsuitable in regions of the world such as the Caribbean or Latin America. There is a pressing need to focus on livestock farming systems (LFS) and characterize their potential contributions to global sustainability. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to address these multiple and complex problems. Traditionally, LFS have shown their sustainability high potential. The purpose of this work is to highlight solutions to minimize inputs, by describing some success and diverse case studies through the Caribbean. These systems were analyzed at different levels: animal/function, farm/family, and territory/society. This produced a set of guidelines that help to increase the efficiency of tropical systems, particularly those concerned with (1) choosing the best-suited genotypes, while enhancing population biodiversity; (2) matching the farming system to the available resources, feed, and by-products; (3) steering the whole farming system through reproduction management with no hormonal treatment, while facilitating system reproducibility and increasing performances; (4) controlling health constraints instead of annihilating risks and implement an integrated management design to reduce chemical treatments or increase the use of nutraceuticals; and (5) mitigating climate constraints by using soft techniques. In the second part of this work, some integrated systems are described. The Tosoly farm of Colombia, for instance, is conceived as a totally integrated crop-livestock system, allowing the additional production of energy at the farm level. Thus, it epitomizes the positive impact that livestock can exert upon the environment. The case study of Haiti indicates how AE practices can help in designing a pro-poor sustainable milk production system. It concerns an entire dairy sector built all over the country on the basis of micro-units of milk production and processing.

IMPROVED PHYSICAL FUNCTION WITH COMPLEMENTARY USE OF A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT FOR MILD KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A SUBGROUP ANALYSIS

The aim: In this study, we present a sub-analysis of physical functionality in sufferers of mild knee osteoarthritis (OA) following a clinical assessment of a novel nutraceutical supplement Tregocel® complementary to standard treatment. Materials and methods: We evaluated the results of a multicenter, open-label, single-arm efficacy and safety evaluation of a polyherbal nutraceutical, performed in subjects with symptomatic, mild knee OA (n = 107, 59.7 ± 10.8 yrs, 68.2% female) over 36 weeks. Physical function was assessed using a standardized walking challenge (6-min walk test), combined with WOMAC indices and leg flexion measurements. Sub-analysis was performed using a linear mixed model that tracked changes in the walking challenge outcomes over time, adjusted for age, gender, and OA duration. Results: Walking distance was significantly improved with the duration of nutraceutical use, increasing by 0.72 m (95% CI: 0.56, 0.88) per week of product administration. Similarly, there were significant decreases in WOMAC indices per week for stiffness (-1.6, 95% CI: -1.8, 1.4), daily functioning (-13.5, 95% CI: 14.9, 11.9) and global outcome (-19.2, 95% CI -21.3 – -17.1). Furthermore, supine heel-to-high flexion distance was improved relative to the duration of nutraceutical use. Conclusions: The use of a polyherbal nutraceutical resulted in clinical improvements in several indices of physical functioning in mild knee OA suffers. Trial registration: NCT03636035

Nutraceutical Treatment of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of infertility, requiring antioestrogen and, possibly, gonadotropin treatment for the induction of ovulation. However, patients suffering from this disease need long-term treatment since PCOS is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, hyperinsulinemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Allopathic treatment includes the continuous use of oral contraceptives, preferentially with complementary anti-androgen activity, and metformin. However, these treatments only partially correct all aspects of the disease, while carrying potential adverse effects per se. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers opportunities for treatment through the use of nutraceuticals containing plant extracts, minerals, and vitamins with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogen capacity, as well as for correcting insulin resistance. Here we justify the formulation of the nutraceutical QALY® (Jona Pharma, Elversele, Belgium) that is composed of Ubiquinone Q10, the vitamins B9 and B12, the salts of zinc and selenium, the biomass of Haematococcus pluvialis, and the extracts of Mediterranean pine bark and of Rhodiola rosea. This can be complemented by phytotherapy with the extract of Momordica charantia plus alfa lipoic acid (Momordica plus®).

Liver gene expression in normal and obese rats received resveratrol and L-carnitine

The use of nutraceuticals with anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic activity in the composition of foods for special dietary uses and dietary supplements is one of the effective methods of dietary therapy of alimentary obesity and related diseases. The aim was to study the effect of the combined intake of resveratrol and L-carnitine (RC) on the expression of genes responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and inflammatory reactions in the liver and kidneys of rats in normal conditions and with diet-induced obesity. Material and methods. Male Wistar rats received for 63 days a standard balanced diet or a high-fat-high-carbohydrate diet (HFCD) with an excess of total fat (30%) and fructose (20% solution instead of drinking water), or the same diets supplemented with RC in a low (25 mg/kg body weight as resveratrol and 300 mg/kg as L-carnitine) or high (50 and 600 mg/kg body weight, respectively) doses. The expression of genes (Khk, Gck, Pklr, Acaca, Acacb, Fasn, Scd, Srebf1, Mlxipl, Ppara, Pparg, Actb, Gapdh) in liver cells was studied by the method of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The distribution of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF-2) and intercellular adhesion molecule type 2 (ICAM-2) in the liver and kidneys was assessed by confocal laser microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Results. Increased expression of Fasn (fatty acid synthase) in rats treated with high-fat high-carbohydrate diet (HFCD) decreased under RC intake. RC consumption caused a decrease in the number of TAT-, NRF-2- and ICAM-2-positive cells in the liver of rats treated with HFCD, but had the opposite effect in the kidneys. The consumption of RC at the low dose by rats fed HFCD caused changes in the expression profiles of the studied marker genes, indicating a possible hypolipidemic effect. However, observed increased expression of lipogenic genes in the liver and elevated level of NRF-2 and ICAM-2 in kidney against the background of consumption of RC with the standard balanced diet cannot be assessed as unambiguously positive. Conclusion. Thus, possible negative effects caused, most likely, by the interaction of nutraceuticals with various mechanisms of action should be taken into account when developing formulations of dietary supplements and foods for special dietary uses for dietary therapy of obesity.

Organic Acids, Sugars and Bioactive Compounds of Promising Medlar (Mespilus Germanica L.) Genotypes Selected from Turkey

ABSTRACT The Black Sea region of Turkey is where the Medlar population is most common, and Medlar usually grows naturally in this region. This study was carried out to determine the organic acids, sugars and bioactive compounds of promising Medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) genotypes which were grown in Tonya and Sürmene districts of Trabzon province (Black Sea Region of Turkey) in 2017 and 2018. Total of 15 genotypes were evaluated in the study, including 8 genotypes from Sürmene and 7 genotypes from Tonya. As a result, crude protein was ranged from 1.65 to 2.70%, crude oil from 0.10% to 9.40%, soluble solids contents from 9.80% to 20.20%, titratable aciditty from 0.60% to 1.40%, ascorbic acid from 21.5 mg 100 g−1 to 44.2 mg 100 g−1, malic acid from 590.5 mg 100 g−1 to 1074.5 mg 100 g−1, succinic acid from 127.0 mg 100 g−1 to 419.0 mg 100 g−1, and citric acid from 2.0 mg 100 g−1 to 32.0 mg 100 g−1, fructose from 3255 mg 100 g−1 to 4726 mg 100 g−1, glucose from 2108 mg 100 g−1to 3017 mg 100 g−1, sucrose from 127 mg 100 g−1 to 399 mg 100 g−1, carbohydrate from 47.3% to 73.1%, total phenolics from 41 mg GAE 100 g−1 to 411 mg GAE 100 g−1 and antioxidant activity 13.1 mmol TE 100 g−1 to 77.8 mmol TE 100 g−1. It was found large diversity regarding crude oil, SSC, titratable acidity, citric acid, glucose and antioxidant capacity of fruits among the genotypes. It can be said that the fresh fruits of promising Medlar genotypes are particularly promising for the use of nutraceuticals. In particular, Ton-20 and Ton-21 genotypes were remarkable due to their high-quality characteristics and total phenolic content.

Beauty from within: A Review of the Science behind Yuliv&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;TM&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; Collagen Drink: An Anti-Aging Nutraceutical

The use of nutraceuticals to improve skin properties and decelerate skin aging has been gaining attention among dermatologists, over the last years. In this article, we are presenting the theoretical scientific support for YulivTM Collagen Drink, a liquid supplement containing bovine type I collagen peptides, ascorbic acid and Camellia sinensis (green tea) extract and its benefits on the skin. The available literature shows that the ingredients contained in the supplement have the potential to improve of skin hydration, dermis collagen density, and decrease the fragmentation of the dermal collagen network—and therefore reduce wrinkles and sagging and improving elasticity. Additionally, other health benefits could also be observed, such as protection against oxidative stress, contribution to the normal function of the immune system and reducing tiredness and fatigue, and reduction of skin inflammation, improvement of elasticity and prevention of oxidation. For those benefits to be visible, it is likely that continuous use of at least 4 weeks is needed.

Selenium-Containing Proteins/Peptides from Plants: A Review on the Structures and Functions.

Selenium is an essential microelement required for biological processes. Traditional selenium supplements (selenite and selenomethionine mainly) remain concerns due to toxicity and bioavailability. In recent decades, biofortification strategies have been applied to produce selenium-enriched edible plants to address the challenges of superior nutritional quality requirements. Plant-derived selenium-containing proteins/peptides offer potential health benefits beyond the basic nutritional requirements of Se. Highly nucleophilic seleno-amino acids, special peptide sequences, and favorable bioavailability contribute to the biological activities of selenium-containing proteins/peptides, such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. However, their applications on a commercial scale are insufficient owing to the complexity of purification and identification techniques and the sparse information on bioavailability and metabolism. In this review, selenium status, structural features, bioactivities, structure-activity relationships, and bioavailability, as well as the mechanisms underlying the bioactivities and metabolism of plant-derived selenium-containing proteins/peptides, are summarized and discussed for their nutraceutical use.

Encapsulation of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles by Nutraceuticals: Implications for Biological Activities

Background:: The concept of nutraceuticals has gained increased interest recently as it is based on using natural substances for therapeutic applications. However, limitations such as low bioavailability have restricted the use of these substances thus far. Nanoencapsulation of nutraceuticals has been proposed as a promising solution to circumvent such issues by increasing their bioavailability and targeting their release. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are amongst the inorganic nanocarriers that have been studied for their ability to encapsulate nutraceuticals. Objectives:: The aim of this article is to provide an overview of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles and their synthesis and applications. Furthermore, the conjugation of these nanoparticles with nutraceuticals will be discussed along with their potential applications. Conclusion:: It has been observed that the conjugation of nutraceuticals with metal nanoparticles resulted in the cumulative properties of both these factors with increased effectiveness. Such advancements are crucial for nutraceutical use in important theranostic applications that combine diagnosis and therapy.

Nutrition and Metabolic Adaptations in Physiological and Complicated Pregnancy: Focus on Obesity and Gestational Diabetes.

Pregnancy offers a window of opportunity to program the future health of both mothers and offspring. During gestation, women experience a series of physical and metabolic modifications and adaptations, which aim to protect the fetus development and are closely related to both pre-gestational nutritional status and gestational weight gain. Moreover, pre-gestational obesity represents a challenge of treatment, and nowadays there are new evidence as regard its management, especially the adequate weight gain. Recent evidence has highlighted the determinant role of nutritional status and maternal diet on both pregnancy outcomes and long-term risk of chronic diseases, through a transgenerational flow, conceptualized by the Development Origin of Health and Diseases (Dohad) theory. In this review we will analyse the physiological and endocrine adaptation in pregnancy, and the metabolic complications, thus the focal points for nutritional and therapeutic strategies that we must early implement, virtually before conception, to safeguard the health of both mother and progeny. We will summarize the current nutritional recommendations and the use of nutraceuticals in pregnancy, with a focus on the management of pregnancy complicated by obesity and hyperglycemia, assessing the most recent evidence about the effects of ante-natal nutrition on the long-term, on either maternal health or metabolic risk of the offspring.

Chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant, and enzymes inhibitory potential of three medicinally important plants from Nepal (Lepisorus mehrae, Pleurospermum benthamii, and Roscoea auriculata)

The aim of this study was to examine antioxidant properties, major enzyme inhibition activities, and targeted metabolites profiling of Lepisorus mehrae, Pleurospermum benthamii, and Roscoea auriculata in different solvent extracts. This is the first report on metabolites profiling and biochemical activities of these plant species. Our results revealed that L. mehrae, P. benthamii, and R. auriculata are rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites and have good antioxidant potential. The methanol extract of L. mehrae, P. benthamii, and R. auriculata showed substantial inhibitory potential towards elastase, whereas water extract of L. mehrae and R. auriculata were more strong inhibitors of tyrosinase. Among the three plants, P. benthamii showed noteworthy inhibition on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase, elastase, and cholinesterases enzymes. High resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of metabolites such as Protocatechuic acid, Gallic acid, 7,8,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavanone, Rhamnocitrin, Quercetin, Hyperoside, Quercetin-7-glucoside, Rutin, Rhamnetin, Aromadendrin, Camphor, and Hexanoic acid in L. mehrae. Moreover, Catechin and Fisetin were present in P. benthamii and Kaempferide, 7,8,3′,4′-Tetrahydroxyflavone, 5,7-Dihydroxy-2,3-dihydroflavonol 3-acetate, and Aromadendrin were present in R. auriculata. The results presented here provide enough scientific evidence that these plant species have diverse biochemical potential and can be examined further for their potential use in modern pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

The power of plants: how fruit and vegetables work as source of nutraceuticals and supplements

Plants are a rich source of nutraceuticals/supplements/phytonutrients/secondary metabolites. There are many industries, health care systems and academic activities involved in their use and promotion. However, many of these key players are peripherally involved in the science and policy behind their production, processing and utilisation. Here we will explore some key concepts related to the science and innovative strategies on the use of plants and their bioactive compounds for promoting human health and fight chronic diseases. Knowledge of how bioactive compounds are biosynthesized in the plant under different stress conditions and their mode of action against chronic diseases are key elements needed for an effective use of plant bioactives or nutraceuticals. This information can be the basis for developing preventive and therapeutic nutraceuticals to promote human health and could open opportunities for consumers to access low cost-effective use of plants as medicine, revalue crops, create new products and open new markets.

Prospective options of algae-derived nutraceuticals as supplements to combat COVID-19 and human coronavirus diseases.

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that has created huge trepidation worldwide, has a mortality rate of 0.5% to 1% and is growing incessantly. There are currently no therapies and/or vaccines that may help abate this viral disease, but the use of masks and social distancing can limit the spread. Boosting immunity has been a simple way to resist viral infection and limit fatalities. In this context, the use of nutraceuticals appears to be a potential panacea. The ability of algae-based nutraceuticals, mainly Spirulina, to boost immunity against viral diseases has already been reported clinically. Spirulina-based nutraceuticals boost the adaptive and innate immunity, and bioactive compounds, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor peptides, phycobiliproteins, sulfated polysaccharides, and calcium-Spirulan, can serve as antiviral agents. The presence of these molecules indicates its potential role in resisting infection and COVID-19 disease progression. This review focuses on the potential role of algal nutraceuticals as immune boosters to combat the human coronavirus and other viral diseases. The potential use of Spirulina-based nutraceuticals for combating COVID-19, its mechanism, and future directions have also been discussed.

Food-derived antioxidants and COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 (previously 2019-nCoV), the pathogenic agent of COVID-19 disease, started to expand from Wuhan, China, on December 2019 and in 2months, it spread worldwide giving origin to a pandemic. COVID-19 has a stronger transmission capacity by inhalation of infectious aerosols and after an incubation time of 3-14days, it may be responsible for diseases ranging from the asymptomatic to fatal consequences. COVID-19 has emerged as a multifaceted, multisystem, multi-organ disorder, which produces its pathogenic effects through a quite ubiquitous target at the level of multiple organs and in which oxidative stress and inflammatory process play relevant roles. Thus, besides the development of a pharmacological therapy, in the field of alternative and coadjutant therapeutic, the use of dietary supplements or nutraceuticals for the prevention or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a useful strategy. Herein, we specifically comment on some literature evidences, which link the food-derived antioxidants and metal-chelating agents with treatment and prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation that play a key role in the progression of COVID-19. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors increasing COVID-19 severity especially in the presence of chronic diseases associated with the antioxidant system fragility. These evidences support the recommendation of antioxidants supplementation as useful strategies against COVID-19. In light with these observations, herein, a comment which describes the major antioxidants and metal-chelating agents from food sources that might be useful for the treatment and prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation during COVID-19.

Supplementation of anti-inflammatory nutraceutical products in the management of chronic pelvic pain: a narrative review of the literature

Rationale: There is raising concern over Pelvic pain (PP), a chronic syndrome that affects patients’ life quality and expectancy as far as bladder, bowel and sexual functioning are compromised. So far treatment options are limited, since, except for NSADIs, pharmaceutical research hasn’t provided any specific drug therapy to manage PP. Nutraceutical products represents useful tools to possibly supply this lack of medications. The aim of this narrative review is to provide some guidance on the use of nutraceuticals as adjuvant therapy in PP.

Punicalagin Regulates Key Processes Associated with Atherosclerosis in THP-1 Cellular Model.

Atherosclerosis may lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the primary cause of death globally. In addition to conventional therapeutics for CVD, use of nutraceuticals that prevents cholesterol deposition, reduce existing plaques and hence anti-atherosclerotic effects of nutraceuticals appeared to be promising. As such, in the present study we evaluated the beneficial effects of punicalagin, a phytochemical against an atherosclerotic cell model in vitro. Cytotoxicity assays were examined for 10 µM concentration of punicalagin on THP-1 macrophages. Real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expressions. Monocyte migration and cholesterol efflux assays were performed to investigate punicalagin’s further impact on the key steps of atherosclerosis. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated no significant toxicity for punicalagin (10 µM) on THP-1 macrophages. Punicalagin inhibited the IFN-γ-induced overexpression of MCP-1 and ICAM-1 in macrophages by 10 fold and 3.49 fold, respectively, compared to the control. Punicalagin also reduced the MCP-1- mediated migration of monocytes by 28% compared to the control. Percentages of cellular cholesterol efflux were enhanced in presence or absence of IFN-γ by 88% and 84% compared to control with 58% and 62%, respectively. Punicalagin possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Punicalagin also did not exhibit any cytotoxicity and therefore can be considered a safe and potential candidate for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.

Isolation of biologically active metabolites from Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. cultivated in Egypt

Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. is an ornamental plant cultivated in tropical, subtropical regions and other places as Egypt. The present study aimed to perform bioassay guided fractionation and isolation of some of the bioactive compounds from the Egyptian cultivate. The total ethanol extracts of the leaves (T.ET.L.), stems (T.ET.S.) and flowers (T.ET.F.) were screened for some pharmacological activities viz. in vivo anti-oxidant and anti-hepatotoxic, in addition to in vitro cytotoxic activities. The anti-oxidant effect was assessed by measuring serum glutathione level (GSH) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The anti-hepatotoxic activity was evaluated via measuring serum markers level viz . alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. In vitro cytotoxicity of the different extracts was estimated for liver cancer cell line (HEPG2) adopting Sulforhodamine B stain assay. T.ET.L. exhibited significantly potent anti-oxidant and anti-hepatotoxic activities, while T.ET.S. showed the highest cytotoxic activity. Through biological guided fractionation, leaves and stems were subjected to successive solvent extraction, whereas the leaves ethyl acetate (Et.Ac.L.) and the stems ethanol 70% (Et.70%S.) extracts showed highly potent activities. Thus, different chromatographic techniques were performed on Et.Ac.L. and Et.70%S. extracts leading to the isolation of five bioactive metabolites. Three flavonoids were isolated from Et.Ac.L.; genistein-7-O-rutinoside (1) , formononetin-7-O-rutinoside (2) and myricetin (3) , while orobol-7-O-glucoside (4) and hesperidin (5) were isolated from Et.70%S. This work demonstrated the importance of the plant as a promising anti-oxidant, anti-hepatotoxic and cytotoxic product for nutraceutical use.