Ameliorative Effect of Ananas comosus on Cobalt Chloride-Induced Hypoxia in Caco2 cells via HIF-1α, GLUT 1, VEGF, ANG and FGF.

In the present study, protective effects of Ananas comosus i.e., pineapple pulp (PA) against cobalt chloride (CoCl2)­induced hypoxia in Caco-2 cells were evaluated. PA reduces levels of lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. It was proved to be cytoprotective and increased anti-oxidant activity against CoCl2-induced hypoxia. The inference drawn from this experiment was CoCl2-induced hypoxia that regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a transcription factor. It was also confirmed that PA pre-treatment inhibited the expression of HIF-1α, thereby downregulating the hypoxia-associated gene/protein expressions such as GLUT-1, VEGF, ANG and FGF. Finally, supplementation of PA could help in snow-balling the digestive hormones like leptin and CCK in hypoxic conditions. Therefore, this report provides substantial proof of reducing the hypoxia-induced loss of appetite at high-altitude environments. Graphical Abstract.

Toxic metabolite profiling of Inocybe virosa.

Wild mushroom foraging involves a high risk of unintentional consumption of poisonous mushrooms which is a serious health concern. This problem arises due to the close morphological resemblances of toxic mushrooms with edible ones. The genus Inocybe comprises both edible and poisonous species and it is therefore important to differentiate them. Knowledge about their chemical nature will unambiguously determine their edibility and aid in an effective treatment in case of poisonings. In the present study, the presence of volatile toxic metabolites was verified in Inocybe virosa by gas chromatography. Methyl palmitate, phenol, 3,5-bis (1,1-dimethyl ethyl) and phytol were the identified compounds with suspected toxicity. The presence of the toxin muscarine was confirmed by liquid chromatography. The in vitro study showed that there was negligible effect of the digestion process on muscarine content or its toxicity. Therefore, the role of muscarine in the toxicity of Inocybe virosa was studied using a bioassay wherein metameters such as hypersalivation, immobility, excessive defecation, heart rate and micturition were measured. Administration of muscarine resulted in an earlier onset of symptoms and the extract showed a slightly stronger muscarinic effect in comparison to an equivalent dose of muscarine estimated in it. Further, the biological fate of muscarine was studied by pharmacokinetics and gamma scintigraphy in New Zealand white rabbits. Significant amount of the toxin was rapidly and effectively concentrated in the thorax and head region. This study closely explains the early muscarinic response such as miosis and salivation in mice. By the end of 24 h, a relatively major proportion of muscarine administered was accumulated in the liver which stands as an explanation to the hepatotoxicity of Inocybe virosa. This is one of the rare studies that has attempted to understand the toxic potential of muscarine which has previously been explored extensively for its pharmaceutical applications.

Poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)-phospholipid nanocarrier for efficient delivery of macular pigment lutein: absorption pharmacokinetics in mice and antiproliferative effect in Hep G2 cells.

Lutein has various biological activities, its application in food and pharma industries are limited due to poor aqueous solubility, stability, and bioavailability. To achieve various benefits, lutein-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-phospholipid (PL) nanocapsules were prepared. Lutein-PLGA NCs (+PL) were synthesized, characterized and its bioavailability was studied in vitro and in vivo. The cellular uptake and anti-proliferative activity were analyzed in Hep G2 cells. The mean size and zeta value of lutein-PLGA NCs (+PL) were 140 ± 6 nm and - 44 mV. The amorphous nature of lutein in PLGA NCs (+PL) was confirmed by XRD and DSC. In vitro lutein release kinetics showed an initial burst followed by sustainable release up to 86%. In vitro bioavailability showed 62.7% higher lutein bioaccessibility than lutein in free form. The AUC of lutein after single oral dose of lutein-PLGA NCs (+PL) revealed 3.91-fold (plasma), 2.89-fold (liver), and 3.12-fold (eyes) higher absorption than the control (mixed micelles). The IC50 of lutein-PLGA NCs (+PL) in Hep G2 cells at 72 h was 4.5 µM as opposed to 23.4 µM for lutein in free form. Thus, results reveal that PL added to PLGA NCs helps in enhancing the solubility which in turn resulted in its better bioavailability and bioefficacy.

Efficiency of selected food ingredients on protein efficiency ratio, glycemic index and in vitro digestive properties.

The human body on exposure to high-altitude, undergoes many physiological challenges. The cardiopulmonary reserves are favoured against the digestive system. Hence, the efficiency of digestion is compromised to a great extent, which leads to anorexia, hypophagia, epigastralgia, dyspepsia, nausea, and peptic ulcers. The present study was focused on in vitro digestive influence of selected food ingredients viz. cardamom, carom, cumin, coriander, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, pepper, star anise, turmeric, papaya, orange, pineapple, liquorice, valerian, and tarragon on the activities of digestive enzymes of rat pancreas, duodenum, and small intestine. In-vitro antioxidant activities of the above food ingredients were also carried out with respect to their radical scavenging activity against DPPH·, NO·, and ferrous reducing antioxidant power. All the studied food ingredients showed a comparative range of free radical scavenging activity. Further, pineapple has shown enhanced enzymatic activity of pancreatic amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin among the tested samples with 432, 252, and 86%, respectively. However, all food ingredients showed inhibitory effect towards maltase activity, while the sucrose activity was enhanced in tarragon compared to control. Almost all the selected food ingredients have been observed to have low glycemic index and low protein efficiency ratio except pineapple. The results suggested that ample merit in the use of pineapple extract can be carried forward for the formulation of highly digestible foods for extreme environmental conditions.

Antioxidant, anti-diabetic and renal protective properties of Stevia rebaudiana.

BACKGROUND: Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni has been used for the treatment of diabetes in, for example, Brazil, although a positive effect on antidiabetic and its complications has not been unequivocally demonstrated. This herb also has numerous therapeutic properties which have been proven safe and effective over hundreds of years. Streptozotocin is a potential source of oxidative stress that induces genotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effects of stevia leaves and its extracted polyphenols and fiber on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. We hypothesize that supplementation of polyphenols extract from stevia to the diet causes a reduction in diabetes and its complications. DESIGN/METHODS: Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups; a standard control diet was supplemented with either stevia whole leaves powder (4.0%) or polyphenols or fiber extracted from stevia separately and fed for one month. Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight, i.p) was injected to the diabetic groups on the 31st day. Several indices were analyzed to assess the modulation of the streptozotocin induced oxidative stress, toxicity and blood glucose levels by stevia. RESULTS: The results showed a reduction of blood glucose, ALT and AST, and increment of insulin level in the stevia whole leaves powder and extracted polyphenols fed rats compared to control diabetic group. Its feeding also reduced the MDA concentration in liver and improved its antioxidant status through antioxidant enzymes. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were improved by their feeding. Streptozotocin was also found to induce kidney damage as evidenced by decreased glomerular filtration rate; this change was however alleviated in the stevia leaves and extracted polyphenol fed groups. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that stevia leaves do have a significant role in alleviating liver and kidney damage in the STZ-diabetic rats besides its hypoglycemic effect. It might be adequate to conclude that stevia leaves could protect rats against streptozotocin induced diabetes, reduce the risk of oxidative stress and ameliorate liver and kidney damage.

Effect of sea buckthorn leaves based herbal formulation on hexachlorocyclohexane-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Medicinal preparations based on sea buckthorn (SBT), a medicinal plant, have been clinically used to treat different diseases. We have developed a dietary additive based on SBT, the effect of which was evaluated against hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), which was used to induce oxidative stress and toxicity in rats. Six groups of six male rats each were maintained for 12 weeks as (a) Control, (b) HCH, (c) 1% SBT based herbal formulation (SHF) incorporated diet, (d) 1% SHF incorporated diet + HCH, (e) 2% SHF incorporated diet, and (f) 2% SHF incorporated diet + HCH. Results revealed that HCH induction resulted in a significant hepatic lipid peroxidation with reduction in antioxidants and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The prefeeding of SHF resulted in decreased hepatic levels of lipid peroxides and increased the multicomponent antioxidant system namely glutathione (GSH), GSH-peroxidase, GSH-reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and GSH S-transferase activities. The study suggests that HCH induction resulted in free radicals, which could be reduced by the incorporation of the herbal formulation in diet.