Jatoba ( L.) Pod Residue: A Source of Phenolic Compounds as Valuable Biomolecules.

This study aimed at investigating the chemical composition and a selected group of bioactivities of jatoba ( L.) pod residue. An aqueous extract (deionized water; AE) and a hydroethanolic extract (ethanol: deionized water, 70:30 /; ETOH) were obtained via maceration.

Properties and kinetic behavior of free and immobilized laccase from Oudemansiella canarii: Emphasis on the effects of NaCl and NaSO on catalytic activities.

Studies have highlighted the great potential of Oudemansiella canarii laccase in degrading synthetic dyes for reducing their toxicity. Immobilization of enzymes improves usability in degradation processes and the present work succeeded in immobilizing this laccase onto MANAE-agarose. Immobilization improved pH, thermal, and storage stabilities.

Gastrointestinal digestion of yerba mate, rosemary and green tea extracts and their subsequent colonic fermentation by human, pig or rat inocula.

Polyphenolic compounds are common constituents of human and animal diets and undergo extensive metabolism by the gut microbiota before entering circulation. In order to compare the transformations of polyphenols from yerba mate, rosemary, and green tea extracts in the gastrointestinal tract, simulated gastrointestinal digestion coupled with colonic fermentation were used. For enhancing the comparative character of the investigation, colonic fermentation was performed with human, pig and rat intestinal microbiota.

Effects of resveratrol on rheumatic symptoms and hepatic metabolism of arthritic rats.

Objectives: Resveratrol has been studied as a potential agent for treating rheumatic conditions; however, this compound suppresses glucose synthesis and glycogen catabolism when infused in perfused livers of both arthritic and healthy rats. This study investigated the effects of oral administration of resveratrol on inflammation and liver metabolism in rats with arthritis induced by Freund's adjuvant, which serves as rheumatoid arthritis model.

Methods: Holtzman rats, both healthy and exhibiting arthritic symptoms, were orally treated with resveratrol at doses varying from 25 to 500 mg/kg for a 5-day period preceding arthritis induction, followed by an additional 20-day period thereafter.

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.

A Critical Appraisal of the Most Recent Investigations on Ora-Pro-Nobis ( sp.): Economical, Botanical, Phytochemical, Nutritional, and Ethnopharmacological Aspects.

Miller and Haw, known as 'ora-pro-nobis', are unconventional vegetables belonging to the Cactaceae family, native to the Americas and common in the northeast and southeast regions of Brazil. This review attempts to present a balanced account of both the methods used for obtaining extracts from the diverse parts of the plants and the results that were obtained in terms of their applicability to foods and other products with biological activities. Attention will also be devoted to the properties of their bioactives and their applications to real food products.

Exploring the α-amylase-inhibitory properties of tannin-rich extracts of Cytinus hypocistis on starch digestion.

Cytinus hypocistis(L.) L. is an edible parasitic plant that grows within the roots of its host.

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%).

Harmful effects of chlorhexidine on hepatic metabolism.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is an over-the-counter antiseptic amply used by the population. There are reports that CHX acts in mitochondria as an uncoupler and inhibitor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of CHX on hepatic metabolic pathways linked to energy metabolism in the perfused rat liver.

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.

Inhibition of Gluconeogenesis by Boldine in the Perfused Liver: Therapeutical Implication for Glycemic Control.

The alkaloid boldine occurs in the Chilean boldo tree (). It acts as a free radical scavenger and controls glycemia in diabetic rats. Various mechanisms have been proposed for this effect, including inhibited glucose absorption, stimulated insulin secretion, and increased expression of genes involved in glycemic control.

Purple tea: chemical characterization and evaluation as inhibitor of pancreatic lipase and fat digestion in mice.

A variety of the classic green tea plant, , was developed and is exclusive to Kenya. Due to high content of anthocyanin polyphenols in its leaves, the beverage obtained from this variety is purple in color and is the origin of the name purple tea. This work had two main purposes.

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.

Full Exploitation of Peach Palm ( Kunth): State of the Art and Perspectives.

The peach palm ( Kunth) is a palm tree native to the Amazon region, with plantations expanding to the Brazilian Southwest and South regions. This work is a critical review of historical, botanical, social, environmental, and nutritional aspects of edible and nonedible parts of the plant. In Brazil, the importance of the cultivation of to produce palm heart has grown considerably, due to its advantages in relation to other palm species, such as precocity, rusticity and tillering.

Resveratrol biotransformation and actions on the liver metabolism of healthy and arthritic rats.

Aims: to investigate the effects of resveratrol on glycogen catabolism and gluconeogenesis in perfused livers of healthy and arthritic rats. The actions of resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide (R3G) and the biotransformation of resveratrol into R3G was further evaluated in the livers.

Main Methods: arthritis was induced with Freund's adjuvant.

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.

Alpha-tocopherol-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles improve the inflammation and systemic oxidative stress of arthritic rats.

Background And Aim: The present study investigated the effects of orally administered α-tocopherol-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles on the articular inflammation and systemic oxidative status of middle-aged rats with Freund's adjuvant-induced polyarthritis, a model for rheumatoid arthritis. Intraperitoneally administered free α-tocopherol provided the reference for comparison.

Experimental Procedure: Two protocols of treatment were followed: intraperitoneal administration of free α-tocopherol (100 mg/kg i.

The rapid transformation of triclosan in the liver reduces its effectiveness as inhibitor of hepatic energy metabolism.

Triclosan (5-chloro-2'-[2,4-dichlorophenoxi]-phenol) is a polychlorinated biphenolic antimicrobial, utilized as antiseptic and preservative in hygiene products and medical equipment. Triclosan causes mitochondrial dysfunction (uncoupling, inhibition of electron flow), as demonstrated in isolated rat liver mitochondria. These actions in the mitochondria could compromise energy-dependent metabolic fluxes in the liver.

Production of fungal laccase on pineapple waste and application in detoxification of malachite green.

The main purpose of this work was to use pineapple crowns as substrate for optimizing laccase production by in lab-scale experiments. One-factor-at-the-time analysis and response surface methodology were used to optimize production. A single laccase with molecular weight of 45 kDa was the main protein produced.

Insulin degludec and glutamine dipeptide modify glucose homeostasis and liver metabolism in diabetic mice undergoing insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

This study investigated whether a 30-day co-treatment with 1 g/kg glutamine dipeptide (GdiP) and 1 U/kg regular (rapid acting) or 5 U/kg degludec (long acting) insulins modifies glucose homeostasis and liver metabolism of alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic (T1D) male Swiss mice undergoing insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH). Glycemic curves were measured in fasted mice after IIH with 1 U/kg regular insulin. One hour after IIH, the lipid profile and AST and ALT activities were assayed in the serum.

The inhibitory action of purple tea on in vivo starch digestion compared to other Camellia sinensis teas.

In order to contribute to improve knowledge about the actions of Camellia sinensis extracts on starch digestion, several varieties were compared. The latter were green, oolong, white, black, and purple teas. The results are hoped to contribute to our understanding of the mode of action and potency of the various tea preparations as possible adjuvants in the control of post-prandial glycemia.

Comparative susceptibility of eastern cottontails and New Zealand white rabbits to classical rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and RHDV2.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In 2010, a genetically distinct RHDV named RHDV2 emerged in Europe and spread to many other regions, including North America in 2016. Prior to this study it was unknown if eastern cottontails (ECT(s); Sylvilagus floridanus), one of the most common wild lagomorphs in the United States, were susceptible to RHDV2.