Species-Specific Analysis of Bacterial Vaginosis-Associated Bacteria.

Vaginal dysbiosis in women reduces the abundance of species and increases that of anaerobic fastidious bacteria. This dysbiotic condition in the vagina, called bacterial vaginosis (BV), can be symptomatic with odorous vaginal discharges or asymptomatic and affects a third of women of reproductive age. Three unclassified bacterial species designated BV-associated bacteria 1, 2, and 3 (BVAB-1, -2, and -3) in 2005 were found to be highly preponderant in the vagina of females with BV.

Isolation and characterization culturable microbes on the surface of 'Granny Smith' apples treated with electrolyzed water during cold storage.

Unlabelled: Response of culturable microbes on the surface of apples treated with slightly alkaline electrolyzed water (SAIEW) is largely unexplored. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize culturable microbes on the surface of SAIEW treated 'Granny Smith' apples using conventional and molecular approach. Results showed that SAIEW treatments and storage duration influenced culturable microbes isolated from the surface of 'Granny Smith' apples stored at 5 °C for 21 days.

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away": The potentials of apple bioactive constituents for chronic disease prevention.

Apples are rich sources of selected micronutrients (e.g., iron, zinc, vitamins C and E) and polyphenols (e.

Reactive oxygen species: Key players in the anticancer effects of apigenin?

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) exhibit a double-edged sword in cancer-hence their modulation has been an attractive strategy in cancer prevention and therapy. The abundance of scientific information on the pro-oxidant effects of apigenin in cancer cells suggests the crucial role of ROS in its mechanisms of action. Although apigenin is known to enhance the cellular ROS levels to cytotoxic degrees in cancer cells in vitro, it remains to be determined if these pro-oxidant effects prevail or are relevant in experimental tumor models and clinical trials.

Characterization of Leaf Powder Extract Encapsulated in Maltodextrin and/or Gum Arabic Coatings.

The encapsulation of bioactive-rich plant extracts is an effective method of preventing their damage or loss of activity during processing and storage. Here, the techno-functional properties of microcapsules developed from leaf powder (MoLP) extract (core) with maltodextrin (MD), gum Arabic (GA), and a combination (MDGA) (coatings) were assessed. The bulk and tap density were 0.

Unravelling the Anticancer Mechanisms of Traditional Herbal Medicines with Metabolomics.

Metabolite profiling of cancer cells presents many opportunities for anticancer drug discovery. The Chinese, Indian, and African flora, in particular, offers a diverse source of anticancer therapeutics as documented in traditional folklores. In-depth scientific information relating to mechanisms of action, quality control, and safety profile will promote their extensive usage in cancer therapy.

Strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa Romina) juice attenuates oxidative imbalance with concomitant modulation of metabolic indices linked to male infertility in testicular oxidative injury.

This study investigated the protective properties of strawberry fruit on testicular oxidative injury. Oxidative injury was induced in vitro in testicular tissue homogenates by incubation with ferrous sulphate (FeSO ) in the presence and absence of strawberry fruit extract (SFE) for 30 min at 37˚C, with gallic acid serving as the standard antioxidant drug. Induction of oxidative injury significantly reduced glutathione, cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and inhibited SOD, catalase and ENTPDase activities when compared to normal control.

Toxicity assessment of watermelon seed supplemented diet in rats.

Health benefits have been attributed to the consumption of watermelon ( L.) seeds in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia but the potential toxicity especially on chronic use remains to be investigated. Here, diets containing watermelon seeds (WMSs) at 2.

Centella asiatica alleviates diabetes-induced changes in fatty acid profile and oxidative damage in rat testis.

The in vivo effects of Centella asiatica L. Urban (Family: Apiaceae; CA) on diabetes-induced testicular fatty acid misdistribution and oxidative injury were investigated. Diabetic rats were treated with vehicle, CA or metformin daily for 14 days by oral gavage.

Strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Romina) extenuates iron-induced cardiac oxidative injury via effects on redox balance, angiotensin-converting enzyme, purinergic activities, and metabolic pathways.

The potential cardioprotective properties of strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa) (SF) were investigated in cardiac tissues ex vivo. Oxidative injury was induced by incubating freshly harvested cardiac tissue homogenates from healthy Sprague Dawley male rats with 0.1 mM FeSO for 30 min at 37°C.

Effects of Centella asiatica on skeletal muscle structure and key enzymes of glucose and glycogen metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats.

Background: Dysregulation of glucose and glycogen metabolism are crucial mechanisms implicated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Apiaceae) has been utilized as a traditional medicine in Africa and Asia for centuries and is commercially available as a dietary supplement.

Centella asiatica ameliorates diabetes-induced stress in rat tissues via influences on antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines.

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Family: Apiaceae) is a perennial herb that has been used to elevate mood, improve memory, treat wounds and manage kidney-related ailments in African traditional medicine practice. This study evaluated the potential benefits of C.

Centella asiatica enhances hepatic antioxidant status and regulates hepatic inflammatory cytokines in type 2 diabetic rats.

Context: Neutralizing the over-activation of oxidative stress and inflammation remains an important goal in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Apiaceae) (CA) has been used in traditional folklore in Africa and Asia to treat various ailments including diabetes.

Antidiabetic Effects of Resveratrol: The Way Forward in Its Clinical Utility.

Despite recent advances in the understanding and management of , the prevalence of the disease is increasing unabatedly with resulting disabling and life-reducing consequences to the global human population. The limitations and side effects associated with current antidiabetic therapies have necessitated the search for novel therapeutic agents. Due to the multipathogenicity of plant-derived compounds with proven multiple pharmacological actions have been postulated to "hold the key" in the search for an affordable, efficacious, and safer therapeutic agent in the treatment of the disease and associated complications.

Hepato- and neuro-protective effects of watermelon juice on acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Chronic and acute alcohol exposure has been extensively reported to cause oxidative stress in hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues. Watermelon () is known to possess various beneficial properties including; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcerogenic effects. However, there is a lack of pertinent information on its importance in acute alcohol-induced hepato- and neuro-toxicity.

Antioxidant strategies in the management of diabetic neuropathy.

Chronic hyperglycaemia (an abnormally high glucose concentration in the blood) resulting from defects in insulin secretion/action, or both, is the major hallmark of diabetes in which it is known to be involved in the progression of the condition to different complications that include diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy (diabetes-induced nerve damage) is the most common diabetic complication and can be devastating because it can lead to disability. There is an increasing body of evidence associating diabetic neuropathy with oxidative stress.

Hepatic, testicular and spermatozoa antioxidant status in rats chronically treated with Garcinia kolaseed.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Garcinia kola seed is commonly used in African Traditional Medicine as a remedy for liver disorders, hepatitis, bronchitis, throat infections as well as an aphrodisiac and fertility enhancing substance. Owing to the abundance of complex mixture of phenolic compounds in Garcinia kola seed, there is a growing safety concern on its long-term use in folklore medicine. The present study evaluated the hepatic, testicular and spermatozoa antioxidant status in rats chronically treated with Garcinia kolaseed.