Effects of Red Rice Bran Extract on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice.

Insulin resistance is a salient player in the pathogenesis of obesity and its related abnormal glucose-insulin homeostasis. Red rice bran extract (RRBE) demonstrates several bioactive phytochemicals with anti-diabetic properties. However, little is known about its molecular mechanisms.

Perinatal Taurine Supplementation Preserves the Benefits of Dynamic Exercise Training on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Functions and Prevents Organ Damage in Adult Male Exercised Rats.

Taurine supplementation is recommended during perinatal life to provide sufficient taurine for fetuses and newborns. Furthermore, perinatal taurine supplementation affects cardiovascular and metabolic functions in adult life. In adults, taurine supplementation is reported to improve exercise training.

Perinatal Taurine Supplementation Prevents the Adverse Effects of Maternal Dyslipidemia on Growth and Cardiovascular Control in Adult Rat Offspring.

Maternal dyslipidemia induces metabolic and cardiovascular disorders in adult offspring. This study tests the hypothesis that perinatal taurine supplementation prevents the adverse effects of maternal dyslipidemia on growth and cardiovascular function in adult rat offspring. Female Wistar rats were fed normal rat chow and water with (Dyslipidemia) or without dyslipidemia induction (Control) by intraperitoneal Triton WR-1339 injection, three times a week for 4 weeks.

Cellular adaptation mediated through Nrf2-induced glutamate cysteine ligase up-regulation against oxidative stress caused by iron overload in β-thalassemia/HbE patients.

Oxidative stress caused as a result of iron overload is implicated in clinical manifestation of beta-thalassemia/haemoglobin E (β-Thal/HbE). In this study, we investigated the cellular adaptation against oxidative stress in β-Thal/HbE patients. Twenty-four paediatric β-Thal/HbE patients and 22 healthy controls were recruited in the study.

Effect of lemongrass water extract supplementation on atherogenic index and antioxidant status in rats.

Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf., commonly known as lemongrass, possesses strong antioxidant and cardiotonic properties. Lemongrass water extract contains several polyphenolic compounds including gallic acid, isoquercetin, quercetin, rutin, catechin and tannic acid.

Perinatal Taurine Supplementation Prevents Metabolic and Cardiovascular Effects of Maternal Diabetes in Adult Rat Offspring.

This study tests the hypothesis that perinatal taurine supplementation prevents diabetes mellitus and hypertension in adult offspring of maternal diabetic rats. Female Wistar rats were fed normal rat chow and tap water with (Diabetes group) or without diabetic induction by intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection (Control group) before pregnancy. Then, they were supplemented with 3% taurine in water (Control+T and Diabetes+T groups) or water alone from conception to weaning.

IMPAIRED ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN PEDIATRIC HEMOGLOBIN E/β-THALASSEMIA PATIENTS WITH IRON OVERLOAD.

Hemoglobin E/β-thalassemia (HbE/β-thalassemia) is the most important type of thalassemia in northeastern Thailand. Serious complications of the disease are associated with iron overload and the consequences of oxidative damage to various organs, especially the cardiovascular system. Endothelial dysfunction is an important predictor for the long-term outcome of the disease.

An investigation of antimicrobial and wound healing potential of Allium ascalonicum Linn.

Background: The pharmacological properties of Allium ascalonicum Linn., commonly called shallot, have been reported as including those that are antibacterial and antioxidant.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect and wound-healing activity ofthe ethanolic extracts of Allium ascalonicum Linn.

Umbelliferone Improves an Impaired Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Umbelliferone (UMB) is a natural product that has several pharmacological effects including antihyperglycemic activity in diabetic rats. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of UMB on insulin resistance and on the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats. Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats by feeding a high-fat diet (45 kcal% fat) and a single dose of streptozotocin injection.

Effects of Cymbopogon citratus Stapf water extract on rat antioxidant defense system.

Background: Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf(CCS) is commonly known as lemon grass. Previous studies showed that it has a strong antioxidant property and have been traditionally used as analgesic, antipyretic, antiseptic in SoutheastAsia. However, the effect of CCS on antioxidant defense system has not been demonstrated.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound healing activities of Boesenbergia rotunda.

The ethanolic extract of Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf was studied for its wound-healing potential. Since wound healing is interrelated with microbial infection and reactive oxygen species (ROS), this study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of B.

Capsaicin induces heme oxygenase-1 expression in HepG2 cells via activation of PI3K-Nrf2 signaling: NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase as a potential target.

Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), a major pungent ingredient of red pepper, is reported to have antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. However, the mechanisms underlying its chemoprotective effects remain largely unresolved. In the present study, we found that capsaicin induced expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in HepG2 cells.

Endothelial dysfunction and oxidant status in pediatric patients with hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia.

Thalassemia major is characterized by anemia, iron overload, and oxidant damage to major organs, especially the cardiovascular system. Oxidative stress is ultimately involved in endothelial dysfunction, a condition which is evident in adults suffering from various cardiovascular diseases including thalassemia. We investigated endothelial function in pediatric patients with hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia (HbE-beta thalassemia), who have been exposed to excessive iron and oxidative stress for much shorter period than adults with thalassemia.

Modification of CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 activities in haemoglobin E-beta thalassemia patients.

Objective: Thalassemia disease is a genetic haemoglobinopathy usually associated with an iron overload and some degree of organ impairment. The impact of the disease on the drug metabolising enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP) is not known. CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 are responsible for the metabolism of a large number of drugs and changes in their activities may have clinical consequences.