Anti-Obesity Effects of Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Obesity is becoming a global epidemic as a result of high-calorie food intake and unhealthy lifestyles. Different marine plants, especially brown algae (), are traditionally used to treat different health-related issues. The study was carried out to investigate the anti-obesity properties of 70% ethanol extract.

Antioxidant Effects of Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Pressurized Steam-Treated Corni Fructus and Their Protective Effects Against UVB-Irradiated HS68 Cells.

This study evaluated the antioxidant and protective effects of bioactive compounds isolated from pressurized steam-treated Corni Fructus (PSC). We had previously tested the protective effects of the furan fraction containing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), polyphenol fraction containing gallic acid, and iridoid glycoside fraction containing morroniside and loganin. We measured the potency of antioxidant activities of the bioactive compounds isolated from PSC via oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays.

Modulation of lipid metabolism by polyphenol-rich grape skin extract improves liver steatosis and adiposity in high fat fed mice.

This study investigated the influence of polyphenol-rich grape skin extract (GSE) on adiposity and hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) and its underlying mechanisms based on adipose and hepatic lipid metabolism. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet or a HFD (20% fat, w/w) with or without GSE (0.15%, w/w) for 10 weeks.

Grape skin extract reduces adipogenesis- and lipogenesis-related gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ signaling pathway.

We previously reported that grape skin ethanol extract (GSE) decreases adipogenic transcription factor gene expression, inhibiting triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In this study, we hypothesized that GSE may induce differential expression profiles in adipocytes, thus providing protection against obesity. Thirty-five genes involved in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway, lipid metabolism, or adipogenesis were identified through microarray analysis of adipocytes treated with GSE.

Grape skin and loquat leaf extracts and acai puree have potent anti-atherosclerotic and anti-diabetic activity in vitro and in vivo in hypercholesterolemic zebrafish.

Three major sources of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which are commonly used in food industry, namely loquat leaf (LL), grape skin (GS) and acai puree, were tested in regard to their potential anti-atherosclerotic and anti-diabetic activity. The compounds were evaluated by in vitro antioxidant assay using a macrophage model and for in vivo hypolipidemic activity using zebrafish. In assays in vitro, all extracts demonstrated potent ferric ion reductive capacity, radical-scavenging activity and inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation at a final concentration of 0.

Turmeric and laurel aqueous extracts exhibit in vitro anti-atherosclerotic activity and in vivo hypolipidemic effects in a zebrafish model.

Culinary herbs and spices have been widely used for their hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examined the physiologic activity of hydrophilic components using extracts of turmeric or laurel leaf powder. Aqueous extracts of turmeric and laurel showed potent inhibitory activity against fructose-mediated glycation with antioxidant ability against low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and radical scavenging activity.

The butanol fraction of Eclipta prostrata (Linn) increases the formation of brain acetylcholine and decreases oxidative stress in the brain and serum of cesarean-derived rats.

Eclipta prostrata has been used as a traditional medicinal plant to prevent dementia and to enhance memory in Asia. Its potential as a nootropic and as an antioxidant have been reported in mice. We hypothesized that Eclipta may affect the formation of neurotransmitters and the inhibition of oxidative stress.

Inhibitory effects of Bulnesia sarmienti aqueous extract on agonist-induced platelet activation and thrombus formation involves mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: B. sarmienti has long been recognized in folk medicine as a medicinal plant with various medicinal uses. Traditionally, it has been appreciated for the skin-healing properties of its essence.

Monoacylglycerol (MAG)-oleic acid has stronger antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, and protein glycation inhibitory activities than MAG-palmitic acid.

A functional oil containing diacylglycerol (DAG) and monoacylglycerol (MAG) has been shown to have a strong anti-atherosclerotic effect in a mouse model. Among the lipid components, MAG is responsible for the beneficial effect with an enhanced antioxidant effect in the mouse model. In this report, several MAG-containing fatty acids (MAG-oleic acid [MAG-O], MAG-palmitic acid [MAG-P], and MAG-stearic acid [MAG-S]) were synthesized, and the antioxidant and anti-atherogenic activities were evaluated in vitro and in a cellular model.

Mechanism of macrophage activation induced by beta-glucan produced from Paenibacillus polymyxa JB115.

Beta-glucans are heterogeneous groups of glucose polymers found in the cell walls of fungi, plants and some bacteria. Our previous report showed that a novel beta-1,3/1,6-glucan produced from Paenibacillus (P.) polymyxa JB115 can induce nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.

The functional and compositional properties of lipoproteins are altered in patients with metabolic syndrome with increased cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity.

To compare the molecular composition and functional differences at the lipoprotein level, we analyzed individual lipoprotein fractions from male patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) (n=10) and gender- and age-matched healthy controls (n=14). The MetS group had significantly higher obesity, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), adiponectin, and uric acid levels than the control group, while the serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels of the MetS group were in the normal range. The MetS group had much weaker serum antioxidant ability and were more susceptible to copper-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-oxidation.

Growth-inhibitory effects of a Bulnesia sarmienti aqueous extract on A549 cells in vitro and S180 cells in vivo.

The effects of Bulnesia sarmienti (BS) aqueous extract on the cell growth of A549 cell lines were investigated. BS has strong cytotoxic activity on the A549 cell lines (IC(50); less than 100 microg/mL) in MTT assay. HPLC confirmed that BS contains catechins as major compound.

Anticancer activity and apoptotic effects of Bulnesia sarmienti against human lung cancer H460 cells.

Bulnesia sarmienti (BS), a traditional South American herbal medicine native to Gran Chaco, has been used to treat various human ailments. The effects of BS aqueous extract (100, 200, and 400 microg/ml) on H460 cell lines were investigated. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed that BS contains catechins as major compound.

Physiological activities of a beta-glucan produced by Panebacillus polymyxa.

In vitro bioactivities of a beta-glucan produced by Panebacillus polymyxa JB115 were investigated. Nitric oxide production by RAW 264.7 macrophage cells pre-treated with beta-glucan JB115 (from 0.