Biotechnological, Nutritional, and Therapeutic Applications of Quinoa ( Willd.) and Its By-Products: A Review of the Past Five-Year Findings.

This study aimed to provide an updated critical review of the nutritional, therapeutic, biotechnological, and environmental aspects involved in the exploitation of Willd and its biowastes. Special attention was devoted to investigations of the therapeutic and nutritional properties of different parts and varieties of quinoa as well as of the use of the biowaste resulting from the processing of grain. Studies published from 2018 onward were prioritized.

Short-term effects of sodium arsenite (AsIII) and sodium arsenate (AsV) on carbohydrate metabolism in the perfused rat liver.

The actions of arsenite and arsenate on carbohydrate metabolism in the once-through perfused rat liver were investigated. The compound inhibited lactate gluconeogenesis with an IC of 25 µM. It also increased glycolysis and fructolysis at concentrations between 10 and 100 µM.

Effects of a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet under different energy conditions on glucose homeostasis and fatty liver development in rats and on gluconeogenesis in the isolated perfused liver.

The beneficial effects of high-fat low-carbohydrate (HFLC) diets on glucose metabolism have been questioned and their effects on liver metabolism are not totally clear. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of an HFLC diet under different energy conditions on glucose homeostasis, fatty liver development, and hepatic gluconeogenesis using the isolated perfused rat liver. HFLC diet (79% fat, 19% protein, and 2% carbohydrates in Kcal%) was administered to rats for 4 weeks under three conditions: ad libitum (hypercaloric), isocaloric, and hypocaloric (energy reduction of 20%).

Comparative study of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the natural coumarins 1,2-benzopyrone, umbelliferone and esculetin: in silico, in vitro and in vivo analyses.

The aim of this work was to compare the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of three natural coumarins: 1,2-benzopyrone, umbelliferone and esculetin. The antioxidant capacity of coumarins was evaluated using both chemical and biological in vitro assays. Chemical assays included DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging as well as ferric ion reducing ability power (FRAP) assay.

Delayed administration of Trichilia catigua A. Juss. Ethyl-acetate fraction after cerebral ischemia prevents spatial memory deficits, decreases oxidative stress, and impacts neural plasticity in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Trichilia catigua A. Juss (Meliaceae) is used in Brazilian folk medicine to alleviate fatigue and emotional stress and improve memory. Previous studies from our laboratory reported that an ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of T.

A Critical Appraisal of the Most Recent Investigations on the Hepatoprotective Action of Brazilian Plants.

Conventional treatments for liver diseases are often burdened by side effects caused by chemicals. For minimizing this problem, the search for medicines based on natural products has increased. The objective of this review was to collect data on the potential hepatoprotective activity of plants of the Brazilian native flora.

The short-term effects of berberine in the liver: Narrow margins between benefits and toxicity.

Berberine is a plant alkaloid to which antihyperglycemic properties have been attributed. It is also known as an inhibitor of mitochondrial functions. In this work short-term translation of the latter effects on hepatic metabolism were investigated using the isolated perfused rat liver.

Action of carvacrol in Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm: A proteomic study.

Carvacrol presents action in Salmonella Typhimurium biofilms, however the antibiofilm mechanism of this compound has not been fully established yet. In the present study, the aim was to evaluate protein profile changes in S. Typhimurium biofilm treated with carvacrol.

Biochemical Properties and Effects on Mitochondrial Respiration of Aqueous Extracts of Basidiomycete Mushrooms.

There are different varieties of mushrooms not yet studied spread all over the planet. The objective of this study was to evaluate biochemical properties and effects on mitochondrial respiration of eight Basidiomycete mushrooms: Flaviporus venustus EF30, Hydnopolyporus fimbriatus EF41 and EF44, Inonotus splitgerberi EF46, Oudemansiella canarii EF72, Perenniporia sp. EF79, Phellinus linteus EF81, and Pleurotus albidus EF84.

Yerba mate aqueous extract improves the oxidative and inflammatory states of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Healthy and adjuvant-induced arthritic rats were treated for 23 days with daily doses of 400 and 800 mg kgIlex paraguariensis extract. This treatment (a) diminished the ROS levels in the liver and brain, (b) decreased oxidative protein and lipid damage in liver and brain, (c) increased the plasma antioxidant capacity, (d) increased the GSH levels and the GSH/GSSH ratio in both the liver and the brain, (e) almost restored the enzymatic activities linked to the metabolism of GSH-GSSG, and (f) reversed the modified activities of xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. The anti-inflammatory actions (firstly) and the antioxidant actions (in the second place) of the yerba mate constituents (e.

Antioxidant Action of an Aqueous Extract of Royal Sun Medicinal Mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis (Agaricomycetes), in Rats with Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible effects of the administration of an aqueous Agaricus brasiliensis extract on the oxidative state of the liver, brain, and plasma in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats, a model for human rheumatoid arthritis. Daily doses of 400 mg · kg-1 were administered by gavage for 23 days. This treatment produced significant diminutions in protein carbonylation and lipid damage in the liver, brain, and plasma.

Ethyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua protects against oxidative stress and neuroinflammation after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Trichilia catigua A. Juss (Meliaceae) preparations have been used in folk medicine to alleviate fatigue, stress, and improve memory. Antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, and in vitro neuroprotective effects have been observed in animals.

Water soluble compounds of Rosmarinus officinalis L. improve the oxidative and inflammatory states of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been attributed to constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis. Considering the inflammatory nature of arthritis and the oxidative stress induced by the disease, this work aimed to investigate if R. officinalis is able to attenuate oxidative and inflammatory injuries caused by the disease.

Actions of p-synephrine on hepatic enzyme activities linked to carbohydrate metabolism and ATP levels in vivo and in the perfused rat liver.

p-Synephrine is one of the main active components of the fruit of Citrus aurantium (bitter orange). Extracts of the bitter orange and other preparations containing p-synephrine have been used worldwide to promote weight loss and for sports performance. The purpose of the study was to measure the action of p-synephrine on hepatic enzyme activities linked to carbohydrate and energy metabolism and the levels of adenine mononucleotides.

Ethyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua restores long-term retrograde memory and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation after global cerebral ischemia in rats.

We originally reported that an ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of Trichilia catigua prevented the impairment of water maze learning and hippocampal neurodegeneration after transient global cerebral (TGCI) in mice. We extended that previous study by evaluating whether T. catigua (i) prevents the loss of long-term retrograde memory assessed in the aversive radial maze (AvRM), (ii) confers hippocampal and cortical neuroprotection, and (iii) mitigates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in rats that are subjected to the four vessel occlusion (4-VO) model of TGCI.

Effects of in vitro digestion and in vitro colonic fermentation on stability and functional properties of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil.) beverages.

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a plant that grows naturally in South America. From its leaves and thin stems different kinds of beverages are prepared (chimarrão, tererê and tea mate), all of them rich in bioactive substances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation on the stability of the polyphenols and on the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumoral activities of the yerba mate beverages.

Distribution, lipid-bilayer affinity and kinetics of the metabolic effects of dinoseb in the liver.

Dinoseb is a highly toxic pesticide of the dinitrophenol group. Its use has been restricted, but it can still be found in soils and waters in addition to being a component of related pesticides that, after ingestion by humans or animals, can originate the compound by enzymatic hydrolysis. As most dinitrophenols, dinoseb uncouples oxidative phosphorylation.

Inhibition of -Amylases by Condensed and Hydrolysable Tannins: Focus on Kinetics and Hypoglycemic Actions.

The aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro inhibitory effects on the salivary and pancreatic -amylases and the in vivo hypoglycemic actions of the hydrolysable tannin from Chinese natural gall and the condensed tannin from The human salivary -amylase was more strongly inhibited by the hydrolysable than by the condensed tannin, with the concentrations for 50% inhibition (IC) being 47.0 and 285.4 M, respectively.

Oxidative state and oxidative metabolism of the heart from rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

The aim of the present work was to investigate, in a more extensive way, the oxidative state and parameters related to energy metabolism of the heart tissue of rats using the model of adjuvant-induced arthritis. The latter is a model for the human arthritic disease. Measurements were done in the total tissue homogenate, isolated mitochondria and cytosolic fraction.

Spent mushroom substrate of Pleurotus pulmonarius: a source of easily hydrolyzable lignocellulose.

Pleurotus pulmonarius was cultivated on a corncob-based substrate for producing of mushrooms and for assessing the transformation of the lignocellulosics during the development of fungal biomass. Associated events, such as the release of relevant enzymes and the H2O2 generation, were also monitored. The peaks of laccase and catalase activities occurred at the 5th day and that of Mn peroxidase at the 30th day, simultaneously with a high activity of superoxide dismutase.

Green tea extract improves the oxidative state of the liver and brain in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the possible effects of the administration of a green tea extract on the oxidative state of the liver and brain of adjuvant-induced arthritic rats, a model for human rheumatoid arthritis. Daily doses of 250 mg kg(-1) (59.8 mg catechins per kg) for 23 days were administered.

Resveratrol Reduces Morphologic Changes in the Myenteric Plexus and Oxidative Stress in the Ileum in Rats with Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury can be caused by surgical procedures and inflammatory bowel disease. It is normally associated with the increased production of free radicals and changes in the enteric nervous system.

Aims: Given the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of resveratrol, the present study assessed its influence on oxidative stress in the intestinal wall and the morphology of myenteric neurons in the ileum of rats subjected to ischemia/reperfusion.

Oxidative state and oxidative metabolism in the brain of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the oxidative status of the brain of arthritic rats, based mainly on the observation that arthritis induces a pronounced oxidative stress in the liver of arthritis rats and that morphological alterations have been reported to occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis were used. These animals presented higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the total brain homogenate (25% higher) and in the mitochondria (+55%) when compared to healthy rats.

Fish oil prevents oxidative stress and exerts sustained antiamnesic effect after global cerebral ischemia.

Transient, global cerebral ischemia (TGCI) causes hippocampal/cortical damage and the persistent loss of welltrained, long-term memory (retrograde amnesia). Fish oil (FO), a rich source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, abolishes such amnesia in the absence of neurohistological protection. The present study investigated whether FO prevents ischemia-induced oxidative stress and whether such an action contributes to the lasting effect of FO on memory recovery.