Regulating redox balance gene expression in healthy individuals by nutraceuticals: a pilot study.

We tested the effect of a fermented papaya preparation (FPP; ORI, Gifu, Japan) on redox balance gene expression in 11 healthy nonsmoker, teetotaller individuals subjected to a detailed dietary and lifestyle questionnaire who refrained from any multivitamin supplement or fortified food. Redox status was assessed by erythrocyte and plasma parameters together with related leukocyte mRNA (glutathione peroxidase [GPx], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, 8-oxoguanine glycosylase [hOGG1]) before/after 6 grams of FPP supplementation. At 2 and 4 weeks after FPP administration, plasma parameters remained unchanged, whereas FPP significantly upregulated all tested gene expression (p < 0.

Effect of a phyto-compound on delayed gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia: a randomized-controlled study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a hydro-alcoholic solution of a phytocompound based on Gentianae, Cinchonae, Absinthii and Cinnamomi on gastric emptying in Helicobacter pylori-negative dyspeptic patients.

Methods: The study group consisted of 24 patients with a diagnosis of long-standing dismotility-like functional dyspepsia. All patients were devoid of any major past or ongoing disease and dyspepsia-associated diseases were excluded.

Effect of a prebiotic-enriched phytocompound in improving ovalbumin allergenicity.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to test a prebiotic-phytotherapic compound in an experimental model of oral allergenicity.

Methods: Antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) elevated mice were prepared by injecting them intraperitoneally with 10 microg of ovalbumin. Subsequently, the mice were exposed to ovalbumin solution intranasally and blood samples were obtained on weekly intervals for 4 weeks to measure serum-ovalbumin-specific IgE and total immunoglobulin G.

The aging gut motility decay: may symbiotics be acting as "implantable" biologic pace-makers?

Motility recording of small and large intestine was performed in old Wistar rats divided into three groups: (a) standard diet, (b) standard diet plus a symbiotic preparation, and (c) standard diet plus a heat-inactivated symbiotic preparation. SCM-III. significantly increased the myoelectric activity of small intestine and colon (p < 0.

In view of an optimal gut antifungal therapeutic strategy: an in vitro susceptibility and toxicity study testing a novel phyto-compound.

Objective: In view of the raising concern for gut fungal infection, the aim of the present research was to carry out a systematic in vitro study testing the antifungal activity and possible toxicity of a polygodyal-anethole compound (Kolorex) in several strains of Candida albicans and in other fungal pathogens.

Methods: The in vitro susceptibility tests were carried out on 4 strains of C. albicans (C.