A novel phenolic formulation for treating hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance by regulating GLUT4-mediated glucose uptake.

Chronic insulin resistance suppresses muscle and liver response to insulin, which is partially due to impaired vesicle trafficking. We report here that a formula consisting of resveratrol, ferulic acid and epigallocatechin-3--gallate is more effective in ameliorating muscle and hepatic insulin resistance than the anti-diabetic drugs, metformin and AICAR. The formula enhanced glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane in the insulin-resistant muscle cells by regulating both insulin-independent (calcium and AMPK) and insulin-dependent (PI3K) signaling molecules.

Tamarindus indica seed-shell nanoparticles‑silver nanoparticles-Ceratonia silique bean gum composite for copper-micro mesh grid electrode fabrication and its application for glucose detection in artificial salivary samples.

This study used a new approach to fabricate a glucose detection system based on nano-engineered biomaterials. The fabrication steps included strategic synthesis, integration and stabilization of biological and metal nanoparticles in superabsorbent hydrogel gum matrix. The design of the high-performance electrochemical biosensor platform includes copper-micro mesh grid electrode modified with polymer phase comprising of silver nanoparticles surface coroneted with Ceratonia silique locust bean gum (LBG), Tamarindus indica seed-shell nanoparticles and glucose oxidase (GOx).

Exploration of Chitinous Scaffold-Based Interfaces for Glucose Sensing Assemblies.

The nanomaterial-integrated chitinous polymers have promoted the technological advancements in personal health care apparatus, particularly for enzyme-based devices like the glucometer. Chitin and chitosan, being natural biopolymers, have attracted great attention in the field of biocatalysts engineering. Their remarkable tunable properties have been explored for enhancing enzyme performance and biosensor advancements.

4-Hydroxybenzoic acid serves as an endogenous ring precursor for antroquinonol biosynthesis in Antrodia cinnamomea.

Antrodia cinnamomea, an endemic fungus species of Taiwan, has long been used as a luxurious dietary supplement to enhance liver functions and as a remedy for various cancers. Antroquinonol (AQ), identified from the mycelium of A. cinnamomea, is currently in phase II clinical trials in the USA and Taiwan for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.

4-Acetylantroquinonol B from antrodia cinnamomea enhances immune function of dendritic cells against liver cancer stem cells.

The functions of 4-acetylantroquinonol B (4-AAQB), a ubiquinone derivative isolated from the mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea, in immunotherapy for liver cancer were investigated. We found that 4-AAQB could inhibit liver cancer stem cell related manifestations and activate the antitumor ability of dendritic cells. Specifically, 4-AAQB can inhibit EpCAM, AFP and related pathways of HepG2 cells.

Electrically nanowired-enzymes for probe modification and sensor fabrication.

Enzymes are highly specific and selective due to their precise, intricate three-dimensional catalytic- structure. Electron transfer in enzymes normally occurs through an active-metal centers or tunneling events that are highly insulated by the surrounding globular protein structure. In case of electrochemically active enzymes/proteins, the distance between the redox-active cofactor and the electrode surface plays key role during direct communication.

6-shogaol induces autophagic cell death then triggered apoptosis in colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells.

6-shogaol is a phytochemical of dietary ginger, we found that 6-shogaol could induced both autophagic and apoptotic death in human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells. Results of this study showed that 6-shogal induced cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and apoptosis in HT-29 cells in a time sequence. After 6h, 6-shogal induced apparent G2/M arrest, then the HT-29 cells formed numerous autophagosomes in each phase of the cell cycle.

Biosynthesis of Antroquinonol and 4-Acetylantroquinonol B via a Polyketide Pathway Using Orsellinic Acid as a Ring Precursor in Antrodia cinnamomea.

Antroquinonol (AQ) and 4-acetylantroquinonol B (4-AAQB), isolated from the mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea, have a similar chemical backbone to coenzyme Q (CoQ). Based on the postulation that biosynthesis of both AQ and 4-AAQB in A. cinnamomea starts from the polyketide pathway, we cultivated this fungus in a culture medium containing [U-C]oleic acid, and then we analyzed the crude extracts of the mycelium using UHPLC-MS.

Curcumin Induces Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells by Coupling with CD44 Marker.

This study investigated the effect of curcumin on colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) and its possible mechanism. Comparison of the metabolic profiles of human adenomatous polyp (N = 61) and colorectal cancer (CRC) (N = 57) tissue found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in their composition of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenine, 5'-methythioadenosine, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, prostaglandin E2, threonine, and glutamine.

Fenugreek hydrogel-agarose composite entrapped gold nanoparticles for acetylcholinesterase based biosensor for carbamates detection.

A biosensor was fabricated to detect pesticides in food samples. Acetylcholinesterase was immobilized in a novel fenugreek hydrogel-agarose matrix with gold nanoparticles. Transparent thin films with superior mechanical strength and stability were obtained with 2% fenugreek hydrogel and 2% agarose.

Curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles for enhanced anti-colorectal cancer applications.

The purpose of the present study was to fabricate polymeric nanoparticles as drug carriers for encapsulated curcumin with enhanced anti-colorectal cancer applications. Nanoparticles were formulated from chitosan and gum arabic, natural polysaccharides, via an emulsification solvent diffusion method. The formation of curcumin nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimeter.

Invertase-nanogold clusters decorated plant membranes for fluorescence-based sucrose sensor.

In the present study, invertase-mediated nanogold clusters were synthesized on onion membranes, and their application for sucrose biosensor fabrication was investigated. Transmission electron microscopy revealed free nanoparticles of various sizes (diameter ~5 to 50 nm) along with clusters of nanogold (~95 to 200 nm) on the surface of inner epidermal membranes of onions (Allium cepa L.).

A well-refined in vitro model derived from human embryonic stem cell for screening phytochemicals with midbrain dopaminergic differentiation-boosting potential for improving Parkinson's disease.

Stimulation of endogenous neurogenesis is a potential approach to compensate for loss of dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra compacta nigra (SNpc) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This objective was to establish an in vitro model by differentiating pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons for screening phytochemicals with mDA neurogenesis-boosting potentials. Consequently, a five-stage differentiation process was developed.

Antihepatoma and liver protective potentials of ganoderma lucidum ( ling zhi) fermented in a medium containing black soybean ( hēi dòu) and astragalus membranaceus ( shēng huáng qí).

The antihepatoma activity and liver protective function of the fermentation products (5 L fermenator) of Ganoderma lucidum (GL; Ling Zhi) cultivated in a medium containing black soybean (BS; Hēi Dòu) and Astragalus membranaceus (AM; Shēng Huáng Qí) at different fermentation temperatures were investigated in this study. Hep 3B cells pretreated with lovastatin were used to study the antihepatoma activity, and possible active components were analyzed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced primary rat hepatocyte injury was further used to evaluate the liver protective activity of the fermentation products.

Concentration variation and molecular characteristics of soluble (1,3;1,6)-β-D-glucans in submerged cultivation products of Ganoderma lucidum mycelium.

(1,3)-β-D-Glucans with (1,6)-β-D-glucosyl branches are bioactive polysaccharides in fruiting bodies and mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum, a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine. Submerged cultivation of mycelium is one of the more efficient means of generating polysaccharides from this fungus. Twelve mycelium samples examined in this study demonstrated the quantitative and qualitative molecular characteristics of soluble (1,3;1,6)-β-D-glucans.

Chitosan-guar gum-silver nanoparticles hybrid matrix with immobilized enzymes for fabrication of beta-glucan and glucose sensing photometric flow injection system.

Simple and fast photometric flow injection analysis system was developed for sensing of β-1,3-glucan from medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum during fermentation. For this purpose, the chitosan-guar gum-silver nanoparticle-beta glucanase (Ch-GG-AgNPs-βG) beads and Ch-GG-AgNPs-GOD (glucose oxidase) beads were prepared. The bead packed mini-columns were then used to assemble a flow injection analysis (FIA) system for the detection of β-(1→3)-d-glucan biomarker or glucose.

Skin permeation of D-limonene-based nanoemulsions as a transdermal carrier prepared by ultrasonic emulsification.

Nanoemulsions can be used for transporting pharmaceutical phytochemicals in skin-care products because of their stability and rapid permeation properties. However, droplet size may be a critical factor aiding permeation through skin and transdermal delivery efficiency. We prepared D-limonene nanoemulsions with various droplet sizes by ultrasonic emulsification using mixed surfactants of sorbitane trioleate and polyoxyethylene (20) oleyl ether under different hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values.

Enhancement of 4-acetylantroquinonol B production by supplementation of its precursor during submerged fermentation of Antrodia cinnamomea.

The antiproliferation activity of the ethanol extract of A. cinnamomea mycelium on hepatocellular cancer cells HepG2 was found to be associated with aroma intensity of the broth during fermentation. We hypothesized that some of the volatile compounds are the precursors of the key bioactive component 4-acetylantroquinonol B of this fungus.

Anti-diabetic effect of a traditional Chinese medicine formula.

An anti-diabetic TCM formula consisting of Schizandra chinensis Baill. (SC), Coptis chinensis (CC), Psidium guajava L. leaves (PG) and Morus alba L.

In vitro neuropeptide Y mRNA expressing model for screening essences that may affect appetite using Rolf B1.T cells.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is the most important appetite regulator. This study aimed to establish an in vitro NPY mRNA expression model for screening essences to determine if they are an appetite stimulator or inhibitor. We cultured the olfactory nerve cells Rolf B1.

1,3-β-Glucanase from Vigna aconitifolia and its possible use in enzyme bioreactor fabrication.

Endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.

4-acetylantroquinonol B isolated from Antrodia cinnamomea arrests proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell by affecting p53, p21 and p27 levels.

The 4-acetylantroquinonol B isolated from the mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea could inhibit proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2 with IC(50) 0.1 μg/mL. When the HepG2 cells were treated with 4-acetylantroquinonol B for 72 h, the proportion of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle increased and that in the S phase decreased significantly, and the proportion of G2/M phase cells were not obviously changed.