In Vitro and In Vivo Insights into a Broccoli Byproduct as a Healthy Ingredient for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease and Aging through Redox Biology.

Broccoli has gained popularity as a highly consumed vegetable due to its nutritional and health properties. This study aimed to evaluate the composition profile and the antioxidant capacity of a hydrophilic extract derived from broccoli byproducts, as well as its influence on redox biology, Alzheimer's disease markers, and aging in the Caenorhabditis elegans model. The presence of glucosinolate was observed and antioxidant capacity was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory capacity was quantified, and the treatment ameliorated the amyloid-ß- and tau-induced proteotoxicity in transgenic strains via SOD-3 and SKN-1, respectively, and HSP-16.2 for both parameters. Furthermore, a preliminary study on aging indicated that the extract effectively reduced reactive oxygen species levels in aged worms and extended their lifespan. Utilizing broccoli byproducts for nutraceutical or functional foods could manage vegetable processing waste, enhancing productivity and sustainability while providing significant health benefits.

Effect of olive leaf phytochemicals on the anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-cyclooxygenase-2 and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity.

In this study, the phytochemical profile of fifty olive leaves (OL) extracts from Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Morocco was characterized and their anti-cholinergic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities were evaluated. Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, isoharmnentin, and apigenin were involved in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, while oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol showed noteworthy potential. Secoiridoids contributed to the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory activity and antioxidant capacity. Compounds such as oleuropein, ligstroside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside, may exert an important role in the ferric reducing antioxidant capacity. It should be also highlighted the role of hydroxytyrosol, hydroxycoumarins, and verbascoside concerning the antioxidant activity. This research provides valuable insights and confirms that specific compounds within OL extracts contribute to distinct anti-cholinergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects.

Valorization of Olea europaea and olive oil processing by-products/wastes.

Olive (Olea europaea) is a native species from the Mediterranean region and widely cultivated for its edible fruit, known as olives. Olives are a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, and polyphenols, and have been shown to have various health benefits. They are commonly used for cooking and are also employed in cosmetics and the pharmaceutical industry. The extract obtained from olive fruits and several subproducts of the olive industry has demonstrated several biological activities mainly associated with their antioxidant and inflammatory properties. Thus, olives, olive-derived products, and subproducts of the olive industry have gained popularity in recent years due to their potential health benefits and their use in traditional medicine. The present chapter summarizes the main applications of Olea europaea and olive oil processing by-products as therapeutic agents against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and antimicrobial agents.

Exploring the Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Olive Leaf Extracts from Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy.

The leaves of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) are one of the major solid wastes from the olive industry. Globally, the European Union is the largest producer of olive by-products, with Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal accounting for almost the entire production. Many questions remain to be solved concerning olive leaves (OL), including those related to possible differences in composition and/or biological activities depending on their geographical origin. In the present work, OL from Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal have been characterized according to their phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, neuroprotective activity, and anti-inflammatory effects. The Spanish and Italian OL samples presented the highest antioxidant and neuroprotective activities, while the Greek OL showed the lowest. These results were strongly associated with the content of oleoside methyl ester and p-hydroxybenzoic acid for the Spanish and Italian samples, respectively, whereas the content of decarboxymethyl elenolic acid dialdehyde form (hydrated) was negatively associated with the mentioned biological activities of the Greek samples. No country-related effect was observed in the anti-inflammatory activity of OL. Comprehensively, this work could provide a useful tool for manufacturers and R&D departments in making environmentally friendly decisions on how OL can be used to generate nutraceutical products based on the composition and origin of this by-product.

Dietary antioxidants and lifespan: Relevance of environmental conditions, diet, and genotype of experimental models.

The rise of life expectancy in current societies is not accompanied, to date, by a similar increase in healthspan, which represents a great socio-economic problem. It has been suggested that aging can be manipulated and then, the onset of all age-associated chronic disorders can be delayed because these pathologies share age as primary underlying risk factor. One of the most extended ideas is that aging is consequence of the accumulation of molecular damage. According to the oxidative damage theory, antioxidants should slow down aging, extending lifespan and healthspan. The present review analyzes studies evaluating the effect of dietary antioxidants on lifespan of different aging models and discusses the evidence on favor of their antioxidant activity as anti-aging mechanisms. Moreover, possible causes for differences between the reported results are evaluated.

Molecular Mechanisms of the Protective Effects of Olive Leaf Polyphenols against Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the cause of around 60-70% of global cases of dementia and approximately 50 million people have been reported to suffer this disease worldwide. The leaves of olive trees (Olea europaea) are the most abundant by-products of the olive grove industry. These by-products have been highlighted due to the wide variety of bioactive compounds such as oleuropein (OLE) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) with demonstrated medicinal properties to fight AD. In particular, the olive leaf (OL), OLE, and HT reduced not only amyloid-ß formation but also neurofibrillary tangles formation through amyloid protein precursor processing modulation. Although the isolated olive phytochemicals exerted lower cholinesterase inhibitory activity, OL demonstrated high inhibitory activity in the cholinergic tests evaluated. The mechanisms underlying these protective effects may be associated with decreased neuroinflammation and oxidative stress via NF-κB and Nrf2 modulation, respectively. Despite the limited research, evidence indicates that OL consumption promotes autophagy and restores loss of proteostasis, which was reflected in lower toxic protein aggregation in AD models. Therefore, olive phytochemicals may be a promising tool as an adjuvant in the treatment of AD.

In Vivo Anti-Alzheimer and Antioxidant Properties of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Honey from Southern Spain.

There is growing evidence that Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be prevented by reducing risk factors involved in its pathophysiology. Food-derived bioactive molecules can help in the prevention and reduction of the progression of AD. Honey, a good source of antioxidants and bioactive molecules, has been tied to many health benefits, including those from neurological origin. Monofloral avocado honey (AH) has recently been characterized but its biomedical properties are still unknown. The aim of this study is to further its characterization, focusing on the phenolic profile. Moreover, its antioxidant capacity was assayed both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, a deep analysis on the pathophysiological features of AD such as oxidative stress, amyloid-ß aggregation, and protein-tau-induced neurotoxicity were evaluated by using the experimental model C. elegans. AH exerted a high antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo. No toxicity was found in C. elegans at the dosages used. AH prevented ROS accumulation under AAPH-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, AH exerted a great anti-amyloidogenic capacity, which is relevant from the point of view of AD prevention. AH exacerbated the locomotive impairment in a C. elegans model of tauopathy, although the real contribution of AH remains unclear. The mechanisms under the observed effects might be attributed to an upregulation of daf-16 as well as to a strong ROS scavenging activity. These results increase the interest to study the biomedical applications of AH; however, more research is needed to deepen the mechanisms under the observed effects.

Bioactive Properties of Tagetes erecta Edible Flowers: Polyphenol and Antioxidant Characterization and Therapeutic Activity against Ovarian Tumoral Cells and Caenorhabditis elegans Tauopathy.

Tagetes erecta is an edible flower deeply rooted in traditional Mexican culture. It holds a central role in the most popular and iconic Mexican celebration, "the Day of the Dead". Furthermore, it is currently receiving interest as a potential therapeutic agent, motivated mainly by its polyphenol content. The present study aims to evaluate the biological activity of an extract synthesized from the petals of the edible flower T. erecta. This extract showed significant antioxidant scores measured by the most common in vitro methodologies (FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH), with values of 1475.3 µM trolox/g extr, 1950.3 µM trolox/g extr, and 977.7 µM trolox/g extr, respectively. In addition, up to 36 individual polyphenols were identified by chromatography. Regarding the biomedical aspects of the petal extract, it exhibited antitumoral activity against ovarian carcinoma cells evaluated by the MTS assay, revealing a lower value of IC50 compared to other flower extracts. For example, the extract from T. erecta reported an IC50 value half as low as an extract from Rosa × hybrida and six times lower than another extract from Tulbaghia violacea. This antitumoral effect of T. erecta arises from the induction of the apoptotic process; thus, incubating ovarian carcinoma cells with the petal extract increased the rate of apoptotic cells measured by flow cytometry. Moreover, the extract also demonstrated efficacy as a therapeutic agent against tauopathy, a feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Caenorhabditis elegans experimental model. Treating worms with the experimental extract prevented disfunction in several motility parameters such as wavelength and swimming speed. Furthermore, the T. erecta petal extract prevented the release of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are associated with the progression of AD. Thus, treatment with the extract resulted in an approximate 20% reduction in ROS production. These findings suggest that these petals could serve as a suitable source of polyphenols for biomedical applications.

Amyloid ß-but not Tau-induced neurotoxicity is suppressed by Manuka honey via HSP-16.2 and SKN-1/Nrf2 pathways in an in vivo model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system considered the leading cause of dementia in the world. It is characterized by two etiopathological events related to oxidative stress: the aggregation of ß-amyloid peptide and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein in the brain. The incidence of this disease increases with age and has been associated with inadequate lifestyles. Some natural compounds have been shown to improve the hallmarks of the disease. However, despite its potential, there is no scientific evidence about Manuka honey (MH) in this regard. In the present work we evaluated the effect of MH on the toxicity induced by Aß aggregation and Tau in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Our results demonstrated that MH was able to improve indicators of oxidative stress and delayed Aß-induced paralysis in the AD model CL4176 through HSP-16.2 and SKN-1/NRF2 pathways. Nevertheless, its sugar content impaired the indicators of locomotion (an indicator of tau neurotoxicity) in both the transgenic strain BR5706 and in the wild-type N2 worms.

Molecular bases for the use of functional foods in the management of healthy aging: Berries, curcumin, virgin olive oil and honey; three realities and a promise.

As the number of older people has grown in recent decades, the search for new approaches to manage or delay aging is also growing. Among the modifiable factors, diet plays a crucial role in healthy aging and in the prevention of age-related diseases. Thus, the interest in the use of foods, which are rich in bioactive compounds such as functional foods with anti-aging effects is a growing market. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of action of foods considered as functional foods in aging, namely berries, curcumin, and virgin olive oil. Moreover, honey is also analyzed as a food with well-known healthy benefits, but which has not been deeply evaluated from the point of view of aging. The effects of these foods on aging are analyzed from the point of view of molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, genomic stability, telomere attrition, cellular senescence, and deregulated nutrient-sensing. A comprehensive study of the scientific literature shows that the aforementioned foods have demonstrated positive effects on certain aspects of aging, which might justify their use as functional foods in elderly. However, more research is needed, especially in humans, designed to understand in depth the mechanisms of action through which they act.

Natural Bioactive Products and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology: Lessons from Caenorhabditis elegans Transgenic Models.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent, progressive disorder affecting millions of people. Currently, the therapeutics for AD only treat the symptoms. Although they have been used to discover new products of interest for this disease, mammalian models used to investigate the molecular determinants of this disease are often prohibitively expensive, time-consuming and very complex. On the other hand, cell cultures lack the organism complexity involved in AD. Given the highly conserved neurological pathways between mammals and invertebrates, Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a powerful tool for the investigation of the pathophysiology of human AD. Numerous models of both Tau- and Aß-induced toxicity, the two prime components observed to correlate with AD pathology and the ease of performing RNA interference for any gene in the C. elegans genome, allow for the identification of multiple therapeutic targets. The effects of many natural products in main AD hallmarks using these models suggest promising health-promoting effects. However, the way in which they exert such effects is not entirely clear. One of the reasons is that various possible therapeutic targets have not been evaluated in many studies. The present review aims to explore shared therapeutical targets and the potential of each of them for AD treatment or prevention.

Adherence to the Mediterranean-Style Eating Pattern and Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a serious degenerative disease affecting the eyes, and is the main cause of severe vision loss among people >55 years of age in developed countries. Its onset and progression have been associated with several genetic and lifestyle factors, with diet appearing to play a pivotal role in the latter. In particular, dietary eating patterns rich in plant foods have been shown to lower the risk of developing the disease, and to decrease the odds of progressing to more advanced stages in individuals already burdened with early AMD. We systematically reviewed the literature to analyse the relationship between the adherence to a Mediterranean diet, a mainly plant-based dietary pattern, and the onset/progression of AMD. Eight human observational studies were analysed. Despite some differences, they consistently indicate that higher adherence to a Mediterranean eating pattern lowers the odds of developing AMD and decreases the risk of progression to more advanced stages of the disease, establishing the way for preventative measures emphasizing dietary patterns rich in plant-foods.

An Olive-Derived Extract 20% Rich in Hydroxytyrosol Prevents ß-Amyloid Aggregation and Oxidative Stress, Two Features of Alzheimer Disease, via SKN-1/NRF2 and HSP-16.2 in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Olive milling produces olive oil and different by-products, all of them very rich in different bioactive compounds like the phenolic alcohol hydroxytyrosol. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an olive fruit extract 20% rich in hydroxytyrosol on the molecular mechanisms associated with Alzheimer disease features like Aß- and tau- induced toxicity, as well as on oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Moreover, characterization of the extracts, regarding the profile and content of phenolics, as well as total antioxidant ability, was investigated. The study of lethality, growth, pharyngeal pumping, and longevity in vivo demonstrated the lack of toxicity of the extract. One hundred µg/mL of extract treatment revealed prevention of oxidative stress and a delay in Aß-induced paralysis related with a lower presence of Aß aggregates. Indeed, the extract showed the ability to avoid a certain degree of proteotoxicity associated with aggregation of the tau protein. According to RNAi tests, SKN-1/NRF2 transcription factor and the overexpression of HSP-16.2 were mechanistically associated in the observed effects.

An oleuropein rich-olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract reduces ß-amyloid and tau proteotoxicity through regulation of oxidative- and heat shock-stress responses in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Olive tree-derived products have been associated with numerous benefits for health. The aim of the present study was to characterize an olive leaf extract enriched in oleuropein (OLE) concerning phenolic content and profile as well as antioxidant capacity. Short-term and long-term toxicity, including oxidative stress, was in vivo evaluated in the experimental model Caenorhabditis elegans. Moreover, the potential therapeutic effect of the extract against Aß induced- and tau protein induced-toxicity was also evaluated in C. elegans. OLE treatment did not exert toxicity. On the contrary, the extract was able to ameliorate oxidative stress and proteotoxicity related to Aß and tau aggregation. The potential molecular mechanisms present behind the observed results explored by RNAi technology revealed that DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/NRF2, elements of the insulin insulin-like signalling pathway, as well as HSP-16.2 overexpression were involved.

A gliclazide complex based on palladium towards Alzheimer's disease: promising protective activity against Aß-induced toxicity in C. elegans.

A new palladium coordination compound based on gliclazide with the chemical formula [Pd(glz)2] (where glz = gliclazide) has been synthesized and characterised. The structural characterization reveals that this material consists of mononuclear units formed by a Pd2+ ion coordinated to two molecules of the glz ligand, in which palladium ions exhibit a distorted plane-square coordination sphere. This novel material behaves like a good and selective inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase, one of the most relevant therapeutic targets against Alzheimer's disease. Analysis of the enzyme kinetics showed a mixed mode of inhibition, the title compound being capable of interacting with both the free enzyme and the enzyme-substrate complex. Finally, the palladium compound shows promising protective activity against Aß-induced toxicity in the Caenorhabditis elegans model, which has never been reported.

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Romina) methanolic extract attenuates Alzheimer's beta amyloid production and oxidative stress by SKN-1/NRF and DAF-16/FOXO mediated mechanisms in C. elegans.

Bioactive compounds from strawberries have been associated with multiple healthy benefits. The present study aimed to assess chemical characterization of a methanolic extract of the Romina strawberry variety in terms of antioxidant capacity, polyphenols profile and chemical elements content. Additionally, potential toxicity, the effect on amyloid-ß production and oxidative stress of the extract was in vivo evaluated in the experimental model Caenorhabditis elegans. Results revealed an important content in phenolic compounds (mainly ellagic acid and pelargonidin-3-glucoside) and minerals (K, Mg, P and Ca). The treatment with 100, 500 or 1000 µg/mL of strawberry extract did not show toxicity. On the contrary, the extract was able to delay amyloid ß-protein induced paralysis, reduced amyloid-ß aggregation and prevented oxidative stress. The potential molecular mechanisms present behind the observed results explored by RNAi technology revealed that DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/NRF2 signaling pathways were, at least partially, involved.

Molecular Interactions between Dietary Lipids and Bone Tissue during Aging.

Age-related bone disorders such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis are a major public health problem due to the functional disability for millions of people worldwide. Furthermore, fractures are associated with a higher degree of morbidity and mortality in the long term, which generates greater financial and health costs. As the world population becomes older, the incidence of this type of disease increases and this effect seems notably greater in those countries that present a more westernized lifestyle. Thus, increased efforts are directed toward reducing risks that need to focus not only on the prevention of bone diseases, but also on the treatment of persons already afflicted. Evidence is accumulating that dietary lipids play an important role in bone health which results relevant to develop effective interventions for prevent bone diseases or alterations, especially in the elderly segment of the population. This review focuses on evidence about the effects of dietary lipids on bone health and describes possible mechanisms to explain how lipids act on bone metabolism during aging. Little work, however, has been accomplished in humans, so this is a challenge for future research.

Rosa x hybrida extracts with dual actions: Antiproliferative effects against tumour cells and inhibitor of Alzheimer disease.

Edible flowers are being used as a new ingredient in modern gastronomy. Recently, these products have also gained interest as an important source of phenolic compounds with potential for biomedical applications. The present work studied a methanolic extract of Rosa x hybrida in which 35 individual phenolic compounds were identified. The extract has been evaluated for its antiproliferative properties in ovarian carcinoma cells. Results showed that the antiproliferative effect was associated with the induction of autophagy and apoptosis with the concomitant ROS increase probably related to mitochondria dysfunction. These antiproliferative effects might be associated with some components of the extract such as quercetin. The extract did not induce damage in healthy cells and that it was able to improve the wound healing activity. The present study also evaluated the properties of the mentioned extract in vivo in C. elegans. Tests demonstrated a lack of toxicity in the worm model. Promising results have been obtained in transgenic strains of C. elegans that produce human beta amyloid peptide, suggesting the possible utility of the extract from the point of view of Alzheimer disease. Altogether, results suggest that Rosa x hybrida extracts could be a new tool for the development of functional foods.

The central role of mitochondria in the relationship between dietary lipids and cancer progression.

Evidence demonstrates the importance of lipid metabolism and signaling in cancer cell biology. De novo lipogenesis is an important source of lipids for cancer cells, but exogenous lipid uptake remains essential for many cancer cells. Dietary lipids can modify lipids present in tumor microenvironment affecting cancer cell metabolism. Clinical trials have shown that diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can negatively affect tumor growth. However, certain n-6 PUFAs can also contribute to cancer progression. Identifying the molecular mechanisms through which lipids affect cancer progression will provide an opportunity for focused dietary interventions that could translate into the development of personalized diets for cancer control. However, the effective mechanisms of action of PUFAs have not been fully clarified yet. Mitochondria controls ATP generation, redox homeostasis, metabolic signaling, apoptotic pathways and many aspects of autophagy, and it has been recognized to play a key role in cancer. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current evidence linking dietary lipids effects on mitochondrial aspects with consequences for cancer progression and the molecular mechanisms that underlie this association.

Role of flavonoids against adriamycin toxicity.

Doxorubicin (DOX), or adriamycin, is an anthracycline antineoplastic drug widely used in the chemotherapy of a large variety of cancers due to its potency and action spectrum. However, its use is limited by the toxicity on healthy cells and its acute and chronic side effects. One of the developed strategies to attenuate DOX toxicity is the combined therapy with bioactive compounds such as flavonoids. This review embraces the role of flavonoids on DOX treatment side effects. Protective properties of some flavonoidss against DOX toxicity have been investigated and observed mainly in heart but also in liver, kidney, brain, testis or bone marrow. Protective mechanisms involve reduction of oxidative stress by decrease of ROS levels and/or increase antioxidant defenses and interferences with autophagy, apoptosis and inflammation. Studies in cancer cells have reported that the anticancer activity of DOX was not compromised by the flavonoids. Moreover, some of them increased DOX efficiency as anti-cancer drug even in multidrug resistant cells.