Muscadine grape skin extract inhibits prostate cancer cells by inducing cell-cycle arrest, and decreasing migration through heat shock protein 40.

Previously we demonstrated that muscadine grape skin extract (MSKE), a natural product, significantly inhibited androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis through the targeting of survival pathways. However, the therapeutic effect of MSKE on more aggressive androgen-independent prostate cancer remains unknown. This study examined the effects of MSKE treatment in metastatic prostate cancer using complementary PC-3 cells and xenograft model.

Inhibition of aromatase and α-amylase by flavonoids and proanthocyanidins from Sorghum bicolor bran extracts.

We compared the ability of simple flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in Sorghum bicolor bran extracts to inhibit enzymes in vitro. In particular, aromatase is a target for breast cancer therapy, and inhibition of α-amylase can reduce the glycemic effect of dietary starches. Proanthocyanidin-rich sumac sorghum bran extract inhibited α-amylase at a lower concentration (50% inhibitory concentration [IC₅₀]=1.

Anti-inflammatory activity of select sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) brans.

The bran fractions of certain varieties of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grain are rich sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants. In this article, the anti-inflammatory actions of extracts of select sorghum brans were evaluated in two experimental inflammatory systems: (1) the release of cytokines by lipopolysaccharide-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and (2) 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema in mice. A 1:200 dilution of a 10% (wt/vol) ethanol extract of black sorghum bran significantly inhibited the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenolics from Southeastern U.S. range blackberry cultivars.

The antioxidant and topical anti-inflammatory activities of low and high molecular weight phenolic fractions (LMPF and HMPF, respectively) isolated from three blackberry cultivars (i.e., Navaho, Kiowa, and Ouachita), bred to tolerate the warm and humid climatic conditions of the southeastern United States, were investigated by the in vitro ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and an in vivo mouse ear edema model.

Inhibition of hyaluronidase activity by select sorghum brans.

Hyaluronidase hydrolyzes glycosaminoglycans, including hyaluronan, in the extracellular matrix during tissue remodeling. Hyaluronidase activity increases in chronic inflammatory conditions, e.g.

Inhibition of protein glycation by extracts of culinary herbs and spices.

We tested whether polyphenolic substances in extracts of commercial culinary herbs and spices would inhibit fructose-mediated protein glycation. Extracts of 24 herbs and spices from a local supermarket were tested for the ability to inhibit glycation of albumin. Dry samples were ground and extracted with 10 volumes of 50% ethanol, and total phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) were measured.

A novel nutraceutical property of select sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) brans: inhibition of protein glycation.

Despite the high levels of polyphenolic phytochemicals in grain sorghum and its position as a major food staple, there has been a lack of research on its effects on both animal and human health and disease prevention. These phenolic compounds, mainly located in the bran fraction, result in the plant having substantial antioxidant properties. This study examined the effect of ethanol extracts of several varieties of sorghum (S.

Inhibition of protein glycation by skins and seeds of the muscadine grape.

The formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leading to protein glycation and cross-linking is associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The inhibition of protein glycation by phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants demonstrates that the process is mediated, in part, by oxidative processes. In this study, the effects of seed and skin extracts of the muscadine grape on AGEs formation were examined.

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Polygonum cuspidatum extract in the TPA model of mouse ear inflammation.

Background: This study tested the ability of a characterized extract of Polygonum cuspidatum (PCE) to inhibit mouse ear inflammation in response to topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

Methods: A 50% (wt:vol) ethanolic solution of commercial 200:1 PCE was applied to both ears of female Swiss mice (n = 8) at 0.075, 0.

Topical anti-inflammatory activities of Vitis rotundifolia (muscadine grape) extracts in the tetradecanoylphorbol acetate model of ear inflammation.

The ability of muscadine grape skin, seed, or combined skin and seed extracts to inhibit mouse ear inflammation, edema, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration was tested following topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Ethanolic extracts of skins, seeds, or a combination of these from purple (Ison) cultivars were applied to both ears of female Swiss mice 30 minutes after TPA (2 microg per ear) administration. Control mice were treated with indomethacin or 50% ethanol vehicle 30 minutes after TPA.

Inhibition of prostate cancer growth by muscadine grape skin extract and resveratrol through distinct mechanisms.

The phytochemical resveratrol contained in red grapes has been shown to inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, in part, through its antioxidant activity. Muscadine grapes contain unique phytochemical constituents compared with other grapes and are potentially a source for novel compounds with antitumor activities. We compared the antitumor activities of muscadine grape skin extract (MSKE), which we show contains no resveratrol, with that of resveratrol using primary cultures of normal prostate epithelial cells (PrEC) and the prostate cancer cell lines RWPE-1, WPE1-NA22, WPE1-NB14, and WPE1-NB26, representing different stages of prostate cancer progression.

Activity of the dietary antioxidant ergothioneine in a virus gene-based assay for inhibitors of HIV transcription.

The "Long Terminal Repeat" (LTR) of HIV-1 is the target of cellular transcription factors such as NF-kappaB, and serves as the promoter-enhancer for the viral genome when integrated in host DNA. Various LTR-reporter gene constructs have been used for in vitro studies of activators or inhibitors of HIV-1 transcription, e.g.

Antiinflammatory properties of the muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia).

The muscadine grape possesses one of the highest antioxidant levels among fruits; yet, the effect of this fruit on mammalian metabolic systems has not received significant attention. To examine the antiinflammatory properties of the muscadine, grape skins were dried, pulverized, and extracted (10% w/v) with 50% ethanol. The extract was then tested in two different assays: the release of superoxide in phorbol myristate acetate-activated neutrophils and the release of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-beta), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] by lipopolysaccharide-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Nutritional significance and metabolism of very long chain fatty alcohols and acids from dietary waxes.

Very long chain fatty alcohols obtained from plant waxes and beeswax have been reported to lower plasma cholesterol in humans. This review discusses nutritional or regulatory effects produced by wax esters or aliphatic acids and alcohols found in unrefined cereal grains, beeswax, and many plant-derived foods. Reports suggest that 5-20 mg per day of mixed C24-C34 alcohols, including octacosanol and triacontanol, lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 21%-29% and raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 8%-15%.

Inhibition of TNF-alpha induced ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin expression by selenium.

The initiation of an atherosclerotic lesion involves an endothelial cell pro-inflammatory state that recruits leukocytes and promotes their movement across the endothelium. These processes require endothelial expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a powerful inducer of these adhesion molecules.