Publications by authors named "Leporini L"

Besides its role as key regulator in gonadotropin releasing hormone secretion, reproductive function, and puberty onset, kisspeptin has been proposed to act as a bridge between energy homeostasis and reproduction. In the present study, to characterize the role of hypothalamic kisspeptin as metabolic regulator, we evaluated the effects of kisspeptin-10 on neuropeptide Y (NPY) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression and the extracellular dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-hydroxytriptamine, 5-HT), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIIA) concentrations in rat hypothalamic (Hypo-E22) cells. Our study showed that kisspeptin-10 in the concentration range 1 nM⁻10 μM was well tolerated by the Hypo-E22 cell line.

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Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) has long been known for multiple target therapeutic uses. The plant metabolism is well investigated and the main metabolites related to saffron organoleptic qualities are crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal.

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In this study, three different extracts (soxhlet, microwave and decoction) from two species of broccoli: Brassica oleracea L. convar. Italica botrytis (L.

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Purpose: The artificial membrane inside the haemodialyzer is the main determinant of the quality and success of haemodialysis therapy. The performances of haemodialysis membranes are highly influenced by the interactions with plasma proteins, which in turn are related to the physical and chemical characteristics of the membrane material. The present cross-over study is aimed to analyse the haemodialysis performance of a newly developed asymmetric cellulose triacetate membrane (ATA) in comparison to the conventional parent symmetric polymer (CTA).

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Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been previously reported to be active as a protective agent in multiple experimental models of oxidative stress, inflammation and cancer. These findings refer to the protective effects of stigmas, not byproducts such as tepals and anthers.

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Prostatitis, a general term describing prostate inflammation, is a common disease that could be sustained by bacterial or non-bacterial infectious agents. The efficacy of herbal extracts with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects for blunting the burden of inflammation and oxidative stress, with possible improvements in clinical symptoms, is under investigation. Pollen extracts have been previously reported as promising agents in managing clinical symptoms related to prostatitis.

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The present study aims to highlight the therapeutic potential of (), a wild edible plant of the Mediterranean diet. Roots, aerial parts, and flowers of at two different phenological stages were collected from three locations in Italy. The inhibitory activities of extracts on strategic enzymes linked to human diseases were assessed.

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Resveratrol (3,4’,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a natural phytoalexin found in grapes and wine, which has been extensively studied for a wide range of biological effects. A large number of stilbene-containing derivatives have displayed antioxidant and antiproliferative activities on various cancer cell lines. In this study, a series of stilbene hybrids 1-9, previously reported as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, were assessed at micromolar concentrations using MTT cell viability assay in C2C12 and MCF7 cell lines.

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Prostatitis is a common prostate disease that could be promoted by bacterial or non-bacterial infectious agents. In addition, inflammatory pathways involved in prostatitis have been increasingly studied, and herbal extracts endowed with anti-inflammatory effects are under investigation, individually or in combination, for their efficacy in alleviating the burden of inflammation, with possible improvements in symptoms. Serenoa repens (Serenoa), in combination with Crocus sativus (Crocus) and Pinus massoniana (Pinus), has previously shown to improve sexual function and limit urinary symptoms in patients suffering from concomitant erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms.

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Harpagophytum procumbens is a plant species that displays anti-inflammatory properties in multiple tissues. The iridoid glycosides arpagoside, harpagide, and procumbide appear to be the most therapeutically important constituents. In addition, harpagoside treatment exerted neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo.

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Harpagophytum procumbens has a long story of use for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Considering both the antiinflammatory effects of H. procumbens in multiple tissues and the stability of harpagoside in artificial intestinal fluid, the aim of the present study was to explore the possible protective role of a microwave-assisted aqueous Harpagophytum extract (1-1000 μg/mL) on mouse myoblast C2C12 and human colorectal adenocarcinoma HCT116 cell lines, and isolated rat colon specimens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a validated ex vivo model of acute ulcerative colitis.

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A pivotal role in osteoporosis development is played by radical oxygen species (ROS), the increased production of which is related to inhibited osteoblastic activity and bone formation. A new field of research could involve medicinal plants with antioxidant and protective effects in osteoporosis. Furthermore, considering the multifactorial metabolic aspects of osteoporosis, the pharmacological association of multiple medicinal plants could improve patient response.

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Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic disorders characterized by disruption and ulceration of the colonic mucosa or of any part of the digestive tract (Crohn's disease). Antioxidant/anti-inflammatory herbal extract supplementation could represent an innovative approach to contrast IBDs. Clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of natural formulas, containing chamomile, in patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

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Imoviral™ is a natural product formulation containing a mixture of uncaria, shiitake and ribes extracts. All ingredients are recognized as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent and immunomodulant. In order to evaluate the rational basis of extract mixture as immunomodulatory agent, we tested the effect of Imoviral™ formulation on macrophage response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced stress.

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Ethanol extracts of Stachys glutinosa L. (Lamiaceae) were investigated for antioxidative properties, as well as antiproliferative action on various cell lines. The antioxidant activities were investigated by ABTS (2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assay, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging, β-carotene/linoleic acid assay, scavenging of hydrogen peroxide (horseradish peroxidase test), superoxide anion scavenging, and hypochlorous acid scavenging (taurine test).

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Methanol extract of Helichrysum foetidum Moench (Asteraceae) was investigated for antioxidative properties. The antioxidant activities were investigated by 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging, ß-carotene/linoleic acid assay, scavenging of hydrogen peroxide (HRPO test), superoxide anion scavenging (S.A.

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Aim: Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of phytocomplexes of Uncaria, Shiitake and Ribes in terms of viability and inflammatory response on immune cell-derived cultures.

Methods: Standardized extracts of Uncaria, Shitake and Ribes and their commercial formulation were tested on cell lines PBMC, U937 and macrophage. The activity was evaluated in terms of cell viability (MTT test), variations of oxidative marker release (ROS and PGE2) and modulatory effects on immune response (gene expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα, RT-PCR).

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Plants of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) furnish edible fruits and derivates that have been used for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections. In the present work we compare two commercial extracts that contain proanthocyanins (PACs) at 4 percent and 20 percent for antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antiradical and protective properties against oxidative stress on cell lines. Both extracts showed antimicrobial activity (MIC values range 3-100 microg/ml).

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Artichoke, dandelion, turmeric extracts and rosemary essential oil are commonly used as ingredients in many herbal preparations to treat hepatic and gallbladder disorders. In the present work we compare the activity of each single extract with a commercial mixture for antiproliferative, antiradical and protective effects against induced oxidant stress effect. In ABTS and DPPH tests, turmeric extract is the most active, followed by artichoke and dandelion.

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The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Apium nodiflorum (L.) Lag. (Family Apiaceae), a plant used in the ethnomedical traditions of the Abruzzo region (Central Italy) as a culinary herb, as a diuretic, and to cure stomachache, was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and 14 components were identified.

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The dichloromethane extract of leaves of Cordia salicifolia Cham. (Family Boraginaceae) was fractionated by SiO(2) column chromatography and analyzed by gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The apolar extract is characterized by a very high content of (+)-spathulenol (0.

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