Chemical profiling, HPLC characterization and in-vitro antioxidant potential of Pakistani propolis collected from peripheral region of Faisalabad.

Propolis is a highly adhesive and resinous product of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) which is produced from the exudations of plants. Bee propolis being a source of bioactive compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids imparts numerous biological properties including, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Present study was designed to elucidate the composition and antioxidant status of locally available propolis using in-vitro conditions. Propolis collected from locally found apiaries and its hydroalcoholic extract of propolis was prepared using different concentrations of ethanol and methanol. The results regarding proximate composition of propolis showed a higher proportion of ether extract (85.59±0.87%) and lowest contents of crude fiber (0.31±0.08%). Among the mineral's sodium, potassium and calcium was found in a concentration of 11.33±0.91, 52.10±2.9 and 10.53±0.83.59±0.23mg/Kg respectively whilst zinc was noticed as 3.59±0.23mg/Kg. HPLC characterization indicates a highest concentration of Chlorogenic acid 31.80±2.56mg/Kg whereas gallic acid (0.21±0.01mg/Kg) was found in lowest concentration among the polyphenols. Ethanol extract represents more phenolic contents, DPPH activity and antioxidant status as 327.30±14.89mg/gGAE, 73.18±4.43% and 60.59±4.38% accordingly in comparison to methanol and water extract. Bee propolis found an effective source of natural antioxidants which retards the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species thus help to cope oxidative stress.

Preventive role of propolis against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in Sprague dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) animal modelling system.

Human diets with functional ingredients showed promising role in management of diseases of modern age like hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and even cancer. The study designed to elucidate role of honeybee propolis for management of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia states through animal modeling system. Hydroalcoholic extract of propolis was used for development of functional drink with standard recipe and addition of specified dose of extracts (400mg/500mL). Animals were grouped into three studies including study-I fed on regular diet, study-II fed on sucrose enrich diet and study-III fed on diet enriched with cholesterol and monitored to evaluate the results. Various parameters like feed consumption, liquid intake of animals measured regularly whereas body weight recorded at the end of each week of study. At the end of the study animals were analyzed for different blood indicators like blood lipid indices (cholesterol, LDL, HDL concentration and triglyceride contents)), glucose concentration and insulin contents as well. The maximum feed and drink intake were examined in animals, fed with control diet whereas a non substantial mode of intake was recorded in rest of two groups of animals. The consumption of honeybee propolis based drink reduced cholesterol (6.63% to 10.25%) and LDL (9.96% to 11.23%), whilst a sharp increase in HDL level was ranged as 4.12 to 4.49% among animal groups fed with high cholesterol and high sucrose diet. Blood glucose level was decreased by 10.25% and 6.98% however 6.99% and 4.51% increase were observed in plasma insulin level in both studies, study-II and study-III correspondingly. The overall findings of the study showed that drinks prepared using propolis of propolis found effective for management of hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia in present animal modelling system.

Myricetin: A comprehensive review on its biological potentials.

Myricetin is a critical nutritive component of diet providing immunological protection and beneficial for maintaining good health. It is found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine. The families Myricaceae, Polygonaceae, Primulaceae, Pinaceae, and Anacardiaceae are the richest sources of myricetin. Different researchers explored the therapeutic potential of this valuable constituent such as anticancer, antidiabetic, antiobesity, cardiovascular protection, osteoporosis protection, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective. In addition to these, the compound has been tested for cancer and diabetic mellitus during clinical trials. Health benefits of myricetin are related to its impact on different cell processes, such as apoptosis, glycolysis, cell cycle, energy balance, lipid level, serum protein concentrations, and osteoclastogenesis. This review explored the potential health benefits of myricetin with a specific emphasis on its mechanism of action, considering the most updated and novel findings in the field.

Therapeutic perspective of thymoquinone: A mechanistic treatise.

The higher utilization of fruits and vegetables is well known to cure human maladies due to the presence of bioactive components. Among these compounds, thymoquinone, a monoterpene and significant constituent in the essential oil of Nigella sativa L., has attained attention by the researchers due to their pharmacologies perspectives such as prevention from cancer, antidiabetic and antiobesity, prevention from oxidative stress and cardioprotective disorder. Thymoquinone has been found to work as anticancer agent against different human and animal cancer stages including propagation, migration, and invasion. Thymoquinone as phytochemical also downregulated the Rac1 expression, mediated the miR-34a upregulation, and increased the levels of miR-34a through p53, as well as also regulated the pro- and antiapoptotic genes and decreased the phosphorylation of NF-κB and IKKα/ß. In addition, thymoquinone also lowered the metastasis and ERK1/2 and PI3K activities. The present review article has been piled by adapting narrative review method and highlights the diverse aspects of thymoquinone such as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiaging through various pathways, and further utilization of this compound in diet has been proven effective against different types of cancers.

Anticancer potential of quercetin: A comprehensive review.

Diet plays a key role to maintaining healthy life. Many natural products present in our diet, such as flavonoids, can prevent the progression of cancer. Quercetin, a distinctive bioactive flavonoid, is a dietary component that has attracted the attention of dietitians and medicinal chemists due to its numerous health-promoting effects. It is an outstanding antioxidant that has a well-documented role in reducing different human cancers. Quercetin exhibits direct proapoptotic effects on tumor cells and thus can inhibit the progress of numerous human cancers. The anticancer effect of quercetin has been documented in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies that involved several cell lines and animal models. On the other hand, the high toxic effect of quercetin against cancer cells is accompanied with little or no side effects or harm to normal cells. Accordingly, this review presents an overview of recent developments on the use of quercetin against different types of cancer along with mechanisms of action. In addition, the present review summarizes the literature pertaining to quercetin as an anticancer agent and provides an assessment of the potential utilization of this natural compound as a complimentary or alternative medicine for preventing and treating cancer.