In Vitro Protective Effects of a Standardized Extract of (L.) Mill. Cladodes and L. Leaves Against Indomethacin-Induced Intestinal Epithelial Cell Injury.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce serious adverse effects in gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, increasing intestinal permeability and leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation. As proton pump inhibitors are effective in protecting against NSAID-induced gastropathy but not NSAID-induced enteropathy, current research is focused on natural products as protective substances for therapy and prevention of intestinal injury. Herein, through the use of an in vitro model based on intestinal epithelial cell (Caco-2) damage caused by indomethacin (INDO), we examined the protective activity of a commercially available standardized extract (OFI+OE) from (L.

Intestinal epithelial differentiation and barrier function is promoted by a L. leaf extract through AMPK pathway activation.

Gut epithelial barrier perturbation leads to leaky gut syndrome and permeation of substances activating immune response. Polyphenols can improve intestinal barrier function and represent candidates for preventing development of leaky gut. Herein, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms involved in the protective effects of a polyphenol-rich extract from leaves of L.

D-Allulose Reduces Hypertrophy and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induced by Palmitic Acid in Murine 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Natural rare sugars are an alternative category of sweeteners with positive physiologic and metabolic effects both in in vitro and animal models. D-allulose is a D-fructose epimer that combines 70% sucrose sweetness with the advantage of an extremely low energy content. However, there are no data about the effect of D-allulose against adipose dysfunction; thus, it remains to be confirmed whether D-allulose is useful in the prevention and in treatment of adipose tissue alterations.

An overview on the cellular mechanisms of anthocyanins in maintaining intestinal integrity and function.

Structural and functional changes of the intestinal barrier, as a consequence of a number of (epi)genetic and environmental causes, have a main role in penetrations of pathogens and toxic agents, and lead to the development of inflammation-related pathological conditions, not only at the level of the GI tract but also in other extra-digestive tissues and organs. Anthocyanins (ACNs), a subclass of polyphenols belonging to the flavonoid group, are well known for their health-promoting properties and are widely distributed in the human diet. There is large evidence about the correlation between the human intake of ACN-rich products and a reduction of intestinal inflammation and dysfunction.

Low concentrations of antimony impair adipogenesis and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis during 3T3-L1 cells differentiation.

Antimony (Sb) is a metalloid widely present in plastics used for food contact packaging, toys and other household items. Since Sb can be released by these plastics and come into contact with humans, health concerns have been highlighted. The effect of Sb on human tissues is yet controversial, and biochemical mechanisms of toxicity are lacking.

Regulation of mitotic clonal expansion and thermogenic pathway are involved in the antiadipogenic effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside.

Obesity is a metabolic disease with an increase both in cell size (hypertrophy) and in cell number (hyperplasia) following differentiation of new adipocytes. Adipogenesis is a well-orchestrated program in which mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) occurs in the early step followed by the late terminal differentiation one. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), an anthocyanin present in many fruits and vegetables, in the early or late phase of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation.

Low concentrations of α-lipoic acid reduce palmitic acid-induced alterations in murine hypertrophic adipocytes.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder with excessive body fat accumulation, increasing incidence of chronic metabolic diseases. Hypertrophic obesity is associated with local oxidative stress and inflammation. Herein, we evaluated the activity of micromolar concentrations of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on palmitic acid (PA)-exposed murine hypertrophic 3T3-L1 adipocytes, focussing on the main molecular pathways involved in adipogenesis, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

Nano-Hybrid Ag@LCCs Systems with Potential Wound-Healing Properties.

The synthesis of contaminant-free silver@linear carbon chains (Ag@LCCs) nanohybrid systems, at different Ag/LCCs ratios, by pulsed laser ablation was studied. The ablation products were first characterized by several diagnostic techniques: conventional UV-Vis optical absorption and micro-Raman spectroscopies, as well as scanning electron microscopy, operating in transmission mode. The experimental evidence was confirmed by the theoretical simulations' data.

The p-Phthalates Terephthalic Acid and Dimethyl Terephthalate Used in the Manufacture of PET Induce In Vitro Adipocytes Dysfunction by Altering Adipogenesis and Thermogenesis Mechanisms.

Public health concerns associated with the potential leaching of substances from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging have been raised due to the role of phthalates as endocrine-disrupting chemicals or obesogens. In particular, changes in the environment such as pH, temperature, and irradiation can improve contaminant migration from PET food packaging. In this study, the in vitro effects of p-phthalates terephthalic acid (TPA) and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) on murine adipocytes (3T3-L1) were evaluated using concentrations that might be obtained in adult humans exposed to contaminated sources.

Phenolic Profiles, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Hydrodistillation Wastewaters from Five Lamiaceae Species.

Distillation is the most widely used method to obtain an essential oil from plant material. The biomass used in the process is returned as a solid residue together with variable amounts of water rich in water-soluble compounds, which currently are not addressed to any further application. The scope of this work was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of wastewaters coming from hydrodistillation (DWWs) of five aromatic plants belonging to the family, and to assess their in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of an In Vitro Digested Anthocyanin-Rich Extract on Intestinal Epithelial Cells Exposed to TNF-α.

Background: The consumption of foods rich in anthocyanins (ACN) have been associated with beneficial properties in chronic inflammatory disorders such as intestinal bowel diseases (IBD). These effects were attributed not only to a direct antioxidant mechanism but also to the modulation of cell redox-dependent signaling. However, ACN bioavailability is low for their poor stability in the digestive tract, so ACN gastrointestinal digestion should be considered.

Correction: Condorelli et al. Nano-Hybrid Au@LCCs Systems Displaying Anti-Inflammatory Activity. 2022, , 3701.

The authors wish to make the following correction to the published paper [...

Nanoscale Technologies in the Fight against COVID-19: From Innovative Nanomaterials to Computer-Aided Discovery of Potential Antiviral Plant-Derived Drugs.

The last few years have increasingly emphasized the need to develop new active antiviral products obtained from artificial synthesis processes using nanomaterials, but also derived from natural matrices. At the same time, advanced computational approaches have found themselves fundamental in the repurposing of active therapeutics or for reducing the very long developing phases of new drugs discovery, which represents a real limitation, especially in the case of pandemics. The first part of the review is focused on the most innovative nanomaterials promising both in the field of therapeutic agents, as well as measures to control virus spread (i.

Nano-Hybrid Au@LCCs Systems Displaying Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have received great attention owing to their biocompatible nature, environmental, and widespread biomedical applications. Au NPs are known as capable to regulate inflammatory responses in several tissues and organs; interestingly, lower toxicity in conjunction with anti-inflammatory effects was reported to occur with Au NPs treatment. Several variables drive this benefit-risk balance, including Au NPs physicochemical properties such as their morphology, surface chemistry, and charge.

Recent Advances in Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Functionalized Biomaterials for Liver Cancer-Targeting Therapy.

Liver cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the conventional therapies generally employed in patients with liver tumors. The major issue associated with the administration of chemotherapeutics is their high toxicity and lack of selectivity, leading to systemic toxicity that can be detrimental to the patient's quality of life.

Protective Effects of a Standardized Extract From L. Leaves Against TNF-α-Induced Intestinal Inflammation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a group of progressive disorders characterized by recurrent chronic inflammation of the gut. New unconventional therapies based on plant derived compounds capable of preventing and/or reducing acute or chronic inflammation could represent a valid alternative for the treatment or prevention of IBDs. L.

Effects of a pinitol-rich L. leaf extract on insulin and inflammatory signaling pathways in palmitate-induced hypertrophic adipocytes.

roots have been well studied for their pharmacological activities, whereas less research has been conducted on liquorice aerial parts. Leaves represent a good source of D-pinitol, useful in the treatment of insulin resistance-related pathologies. Herein, we analyzed the in vitro effects of a D-pinitol-rich methanolic extract from leaves (GGLME) against lipotoxicity-related hypertrophy, inflammation, and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to palmitic acid (PA), comparing its activity with D-pinitol.

In Vitro Effects of Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside on Inflammatory and Insulin-Sensitizing Genes in Human Adipocytes Exposed to Palmitic Acid.

In this article, we investigated the in vitro potential beneficial effects of the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) on inflammation and insulin resistance markers induced by palmitic acid (PA) in human SGBS adipocytes. Results demonstrated that PA reduced insulin sensitivity in SGBS cells with a significant inhibition of Akt phosphorylation, with a higher sensitivity to PA than murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes, GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 glucose transporters and the enzyme hexokinase-II. C3G pretreatment (1-20 μM) reverted these effects.

Natural Product-Based Hybrids as Potential Candidates for the Treatment of Cancer: Focus on Curcumin and Resveratrol.

One of the main current strategies for cancer treatment is represented by combination chemotherapy. More recently, this strategy shifted to the "hybrid strategy", namely the designing of a new molecular entity containing two or more biologically active molecules and having superior features compared with the individual components. Moreover, the term "hybrid" has further extended to innovative drug delivery systems based on biocompatible nanomaterials and able to deliver one or more drugs to specific tissues or cells.

Interaction of selected terpenoids with two SARS-CoV-2 key therapeutic targets: An in silico study through molecular docking and dynamics simulations.

The outbreak of COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, along with the lack of targeted medicaments, forced the scientific world to search for new antiviral formulations. In the current emergent situation, drug repurposing of well-known traditional and/or approved drugs could be the most effective strategy. Herein, through computational approaches, we aimed to screen 14 natural compounds from limonoids and terpenoids class for their ability to inhibit the key therapeutic target proteins of SARS-CoV-2.

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antityrosinase Potential of Extracts from Different Aerial Parts of Rhanterium suaveolens from Tunisia.

The genus Rhanterium (Asteraceae) is a widely distributed medicinal plant throughout western North Africa and some Rhanterium species are used in folk medicine. The aim of research was to investigate methanolic extracts from different parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of Tunisian Rhanterium suaveolens as potential sources of bioactive products useful for healthy purposes. In particular, were analyzed the phenolic composition of these extracts and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tyrosinase properties.

Comparison of Phytochemical Profile and Bioproperties of Methanolic Extracts from Different Parts of Tunisian Rumex roseus.

The genus Rumex (Polygonaceae) is distributed worldwide and the different species belonging to it are used in traditional medicine. The present study aimed at the evaluation of the phytochemical profile and the biochemical properties of methanolic extracts from different parts (roots, stems, and leaves) of Rumex roseus, a wild local Tunisian plant traditionally used as food.  The phytochemical analysis on the extracts was performed using standard colorimetric procedures, HPLC-DAD, and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS; then, several in vitro cell-free assays have been used to estimate their antioxidant/free radical scavenging capability (TAC-PM, DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, ORAC, SOD-like activity, and HOCl-induced albumin degradation).

Silibinin as potential tool against SARS-Cov-2: In silico spike receptor-binding domain and main protease molecular docking analysis, and in vitro endothelial protective effects.

The spread of SARS-CoV-2, along with the lack of targeted medicaments, encouraged research of existing drugs for repurposing. The rapid response to SARS-CoV-2 infection comprises a complex interaction of cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and pathologic coagulation. Thus, active molecules targeting multiple steps in SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle are highly wanted.

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside protects intestinal epithelial cells from palmitate-induced lipotoxicity.

Context: Increased free fatty acids (FFAs) levels, typical in obesity condition, can contribute to systemic lipotoxicity and inflammation adversely influencing Inflammatory Bowel Disease development and progression. Anthocyanins possess health promoting properties mainly associated to the induction of Nrf2-regulated cytoprotective proteins.

Objective: Using a novel experimental model, we evaluated the in vitro intracellular mechanisms involved in FFAs modulation of intestinal epithelial lipotoxicity and the protective effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) in Caco-2 cells.

Hydrogels for the Delivery of Plant-Derived (Poly)Phenols.

This review deals with hydrogels as soft and biocompatible vehicles for the delivery of plant-derived (poly)phenols, compounds with low general toxicity and an extraordinary and partially unexplored wide range of biological properties, whose use presents some major issues due to their poor bioavailability and water solubility. Hydrogels are composed of polymeric networks which are able to absorb large amounts of water or biological fluids while retaining their three-dimensional structure. Apart from this primary swelling capacity, hydrogels may be easily tailored in their properties according to the chemical structure of the polymeric component in order to obtain smart delivery systems that can be responsive to various internal/external stimuli.