Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Mostrar: 20 | 50 | 100
Resultados 1 - 20 de 72
Filtrar
1.
Pharmaceutics ; 16(3)2024 Feb 27.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38543225

RESUMO

In this work, phytochemical analysis on different extracts of Roccella tinctoria DC. was reported using different techniques with respect to the past. Twenty volatile and three non-volatile compounds were identified, some of which were found in this species for the first time. The methanolic extracts and their non-volatile components were then evaluated for their antitumor effects in cancerous A549 and Mz-ChA-1 cells and for their tolerability in non-cancerous BEAS-2B and H69 cells, showing IC50 values from 94.6 µg/mL to 416.4 µg/mL, in general. The same extracts and compounds were also tested for their antifungal effects in Candida albicans, with only compound 2 being active, with an MIC50 value of 87 µg/mL. In addition, they were tested for their anti-Candida adhesion activity, anti-Candida biofilm formation, and anti-Candida mature biofilm inhibition, with efficacy percentages generally above 50% but not for all of them. Lastly, the DF3 extract and compounds 1-2 were tested in vivo according to the Galleria mellonella survival assay, showing positive mortality rates above 50% at different concentrations. All these biological assays were conducted on this species for the first time. Comparisons with other lichens and compounds were also presented and discussed.

2.
Fitoterapia ; 175: 105936, 2024 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38552807

RESUMO

In this work, the first specific phytochemical analysis on Odontites vulgaris Moench collected in Central Italy was performed. The aerial parts ethanolic extract was studied and eight compounds were identified: pheophytin a (1), aucubin (2), catalpol (3), shanzhiside methyl ester (4), melampyroside (5), 8-epi-loganin (6), caryoptoside (7) and quinic acid (8). To the best of our knowledge, in this study, compounds (7-8) resulted to be isolated from the genus for the first time. The chemophenetic markers of the family and order were evidenced and several important ecological conclusions could be drawn. The ethanolic extract was also tested for several biological activities showing high effects in the antioxidant, cytoprotective and aflatoxin B1 production inhibitory assays. A brief explanation on these activities under the phytochemical standpoint was also included.


Assuntos
Antioxidantes , Compostos Fitoquímicos , Componentes Aéreos da Planta , Extratos Vegetais , Componentes Aéreos da Planta/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Compostos Fitoquímicos/isolamento & purificação , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/isolamento & purificação , Estrutura Molecular , Itália , Humanos
3.
Arch Pharm (Weinheim) ; 357(6): e2300704, 2024 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38442326

RESUMO

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer. However, multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle to the effective chemotherapy of cancer cells. This report documents the rational design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a novel series of triazolotriazines substituted with CH2NH-linked pyridine for use as dual c-Met/MDR inhibitors. Compound 12g with IC50 of 3.06 µM on HepG2 cells showed more potency than crizotinib (IC50 = 5.15 µM) in the MTT assay. In addition, 12g inhibited c-Met kinase at a low micromolar level (IC50 = 0.052 µM). 12g significantly inhibited P-gp and MRP1/2 efflux pumps in both cancerous HepG2 and BxPC3 cells starting from the lower concentrations of 3 and 0.3 µM, respectively. 12g did not inhibit MDR1 and MRP1/2 in noncancerous H69 cholangiocytes up to the concentration of 30 and 60 µM, respectively. Current results highlighted that cancerous cells were more susceptible to the effect of 12g than normal cells, in which the inhibition occurred only at the highest concentrations, suggesting a further interest in 12g as a selective anticancer agent. Overall, 12g, as a dual c-Met and P-gp/MRP inhibitor, is a promising lead compound for developing a new generation of anticancer agents.


Assuntos
Antineoplásicos , Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Proteínas Associadas à Resistência a Múltiplos Medicamentos , Humanos , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/síntese química , Antineoplásicos/química , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patologia , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Proteínas Associadas à Resistência a Múltiplos Medicamentos/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Associadas à Resistência a Múltiplos Medicamentos/metabolismo , Subfamília B de Transportador de Cassetes de Ligação de ATP/metabolismo , Subfamília B de Transportador de Cassetes de Ligação de ATP/antagonistas & inibidores , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Células Hep G2 , Estrutura Molecular , Resistência a Múltiplos Medicamentos/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-met/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-met/metabolismo , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/síntese química , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/química , Triazinas/farmacologia , Triazinas/química , Triazinas/síntese química
4.
J Med Chem ; 67(2): 1580-1610, 2024 Jan 25.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38190615

RESUMO

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a complex and not-fully-understood etiology. Recently, the serotonin receptor 5-HT6 emerged as a promising target for AD treatment; thus, here a new series of 5-HT6R ligands with a 1,3,5-triazine core and selenoether linkers was explored. Among them, the 2-naphthyl derivatives exhibited strong 5-HT6R affinity and selectivity over 5-HT1AR (13-15), 5-HT7R (14 and 15), and 5-HT2AR (13). Compound 15 displayed high selectivity for 5-HT6R over other central nervous system receptors and exhibited low risk of cardio-, hepato-, and nephrotoxicity and no mutagenicity, indicating its "drug-like" potential. Compound 15 also demonstrated neuroprotection against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity as well as antioxidant and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activity and regulated antioxidant and pro-inflammatory genes and NRF2 nuclear translocation. In rats, 15 showed satisfying pharmacokinetics, penetrated the blood-brain barrier, reversed MK-801-induced memory impairment, and exhibited anxiolytic-like properties. 15's neuroprotective and procognitive-like effects, stronger than those of the approved drug donepezil, may pave the way for the use of selenotriazines to inhibit both causes and symptoms in AD therapy.


Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Fármacos Neuroprotetores , Selênio , Ratos , Animais , Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Serotonina/uso terapêutico , Ratos Wistar , Neuroproteção , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/uso terapêutico , Receptores de Serotonina , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/uso terapêutico
5.
Plants (Basel) ; 12(22)2023 Nov 09.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38005711

RESUMO

Hemp bioproducts hold great promise as valuable materials for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications due to their diverse bioactive compounds and potential health benefits. In line with this interest and in an attempt to valorize the Lazio Region crops, this present study investigated chemically characterized hydroalcoholic and organic extracts, obtained from the inflorescences of locally cultivated Felina 32, USO 31, Ferimon and Fedora 17 hemp varieties. In order to highlight the possible chemopreventive power of the tested samples, a bioactivity screening was performed, which included studying the antimutagenic activity, radical scavenging power, cytotoxicity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and modulation of the oxidative stress parameters and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) involved in the regulation of the cell transformation and cancer proliferation. Tolerability studies in noncancerous H69 cholangiocytes were performed, too. The organic extracts showed moderate to strong antimutagenic activities and a marked cytotoxicity in the HepG2 cells, associated with an increased oxidative stress and LDH release, and to a G6PDH modulation. The hydroalcoholic extracts mainly exhibited radical scavenging properties with weak or null activities in the other assays. The extracts were usually well-tolerated in H69 cells, except for the highest concentrations which impaired cell viability, likely due to an increased oxidative stress. The obtained results suggest a possibility in the inflorescences from the Felina 32, USO 31, Ferimon and Fedora 17 hemp varieties as source of bioactive compounds endowed with genoprotective and chemopreventive properties that could be harnessed as preventive or adjuvant healing strategies.

6.
Nutrients ; 15(20)2023 Oct 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37892456

RESUMO

Respiratory viral infections continue to pose significant challenges, particularly for more susceptible and immunocompromised individuals. Nutraceutical strategies have been proposed as promising strategies to mitigate their impact and improve public health. In the present study, we developed a mixture of two hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (ECP) and the cones of Humulus lupulus L. (HOP) that can be harnessed in the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory diseases. The ECP/HOP mixture (named ECHOPvir) was characterized for the antioxidant and cytoprotective properties in airway cells. Moreover, the immunomodulating properties of the mixture in murine macrophages against antioxidant and inflammatory stimuli and its antiviral efficacy against the PR8/H1N1 influenza virus were assayed. The modulation of the Nrf2 was also investigated as a mechanistic hypothesis. The ECP/HOP mixture showed a promising multitarget bioactivity profile, with combined cytoprotective, antioxidant, immunomodulating and antiviral activities, likely due to the peculiar phytocomplexes of both ECP and HOP, and often potentiated the effect of the single extracts. The Nrf2 activation seemed to trigger these cytoprotective properties and suggest a possible usefulness in counteracting the damage caused by different stressors, including viral infection. Further studies may strengthen the interest in this product and underpin its future nutraceutical applications.


Assuntos
Echinacea , Humulus , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Humanos , Animais , Camundongos , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2 , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Antivirais/farmacologia
7.
Biomedicines ; 11(10)2023 Sep 24.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37892993

RESUMO

Ongoing viral research, essential for public health due to evolving viruses, gains significance owing to emerging viral infections such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Marine and plant alkaloids show promise as novel potential pharmacological strategies. In this narrative review, we elucidated the potential of tylophorine and lycorine, two naturally occurring plant-derived alkaloids with a shared benzoindolizidine scaffold, as antiviral agents to be potentially harnessed against respiratory viral infections. Possible structure-activity relationships have also been highlighted. The substances and their derivatives were found to be endowed with powerful and broad-spectrum antiviral properties; moreover, they were able to counteract inflammation, which often underpins the complications of viral diseases. At last, their anticancer properties hold promise not only for advancing cancer research but also for mitigating the oncogenic effects of viruses. This evidence suggests that tylophorine and lycorine could effectively counteract the pathogenesis of respiratory viral disease and its harmful effects. Although common issues about the pharmacologic development of natural substances remain to be addressed, the collected evidence highlights a possible interest in tylophorine and lycorine as antiviral and/or adjuvant strategies and encourages future more in-depth pre-clinical and clinical investigations to overcome their drawbacks and harness their power for therapeutic purposes.

8.
Nutrients ; 15(17)2023 Aug 28.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37686796

RESUMO

Polyphenols are a large class of plant secondary metabolites that are biosynthetically derived from the shikimate pathway and characterized by aromatic rings with one or more hydroxyl groups [...].


Assuntos
Polifenóis , Humanos , Polifenóis/farmacologia
9.
Expert Opin Ther Pat ; 33(11): 721-744, 2023 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37775999

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Exploring the chemical diversity and molecular mechanisms of natural products continues to be an important research area for identifying novel promising therapeutic approaches for fighting cancer. This is a complex disease and poses important challenges, which require not only targeted interventions to improve chemotherapy efficacy and tolerability, but also adjuvant strategies to counteract chemoresistance development and relapses. AREAS COVERED: After a brief description of the recent literature on the anticancer potential of natural compounds, we searched for patents following the PRISMA guidelines, filtering the results published from 2019 onwards. In addition, some relevant publications from the overall scientific literature were also discussed. EXPERT OPINION: This review comprehensively covers and analyzes the most recent advances on the anticancer mechanism of licensed natural compounds and their chemical optimization. Patentability of natural compounds was discussed according to the recent legislation in the U.S.A. and Europe.


Assuntos
Produtos Biológicos , Neoplasias , Humanos , Produtos Biológicos/química , Patentes como Assunto , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico
10.
Antioxidants (Basel) ; 12(9)2023 Sep 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37760074

RESUMO

Overweight and obesity prevalence has increased worldwide. Apart from conventional approaches, people also resort to botanical supplements for reducing body weight, although several adverse events have been associated with these products. In this context, the present study aimed at evaluating the toxicity of Garcinia cambogia-based products and shedding light on the mechanisms involved. The suspected hepatotoxic reactions related to G. cambogia-containing products collected within the Italian Phytovigilance System (IPS) were examined. Then, an in vitro study was performed to evaluate the possible mechanisms responsible for the liver toxicity, focusing on the modulation of oxidative stress and Nrf2 expression. From March 2002 to March 2022, the IPS collected eight reports of hepatic adverse reactions related to G. cambogia, which exclusively involved women and were mostly severe. The causality assessment was probable in three cases, while it was possible in five. In the in vitro experiments, a low cytotoxicity of G. cambogia was observed. However, its combination with montelukast greatly reduced cell viability, increased the intracellular ROS levels, and affected the cytoplasmic Nrf2 expression, thus suggesting an impairment of the antioxidant and cytoprotective defenses. Overall, our results support the safety concerns about G. cambogia-containing supplements and shed light on the possible mechanisms underpinning its hepatotoxicity.

11.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(10)2023 May 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37240149

RESUMO

Previous studies indicated that natural-based chalcones have significant inhibitory effects on the coronavirus enzymes 3CLpro and PLpro as well as modulation of some host-based antiviral targets (HBATs). In this study, a comprehensive computational and structural study was performed to investigate the affinity of our compound library consisting of 757 chalcone-based structures (CHA-1 to CHA-757) for inhibiting the 3CLpro and PLpro enzymes and against twelve selected host-based targets. Our results indicated that CHA-12 (VUF 4819) is the most potent and multi-target inhibitor in our chemical library over all viral and host-based targets. Correspondingly, CHA-384 and its congeners containing ureide moieties were found to be potent and selective 3CLpro inhibitors, and benzotriazole moiety in CHA-37 was found to be a main fragment for inhibiting the 3CLpro and PLpro. Surprisingly, our results indicate that the ureide and sulfonamide moieties are integral fragments for the optimum 3CLpro inhibition while occupying the S1 and S3 subsites, which is fully consistent with recent reports on the site-specific 3CLpro inhibitors. Finding the multi-target inhibitor CHA-12, previously reported as an LTD4 antagonist for the treatment of inflammatory pulmonary diseases, prompted us to suggest it as a concomitant agent for relieving respiratory symptoms and suppressing COVID-19 infection.


Assuntos
COVID-19 , Chalcona , Chalconas , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2 , Chalconas/farmacologia , Chalcona/farmacologia , Cisteína Endopeptidases/química , Antivirais/farmacologia , Antivirais/química , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Inibidores de Proteases/farmacologia , Inibidores de Proteases/química
12.
Antioxidants (Basel) ; 12(5)2023 Apr 28.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37237887

RESUMO

SPME-GC-MS and PTR-ToF-MS techniques were applied to describe the content of volatile flavor compounds in a craft beer before and after adding spirulina. The obtained results showed that the volatile profile of the two beer samples differed. Furthermore, to chemically characterize biomass spirulina, a derivatization reaction followed by GC-MS analysis was performed, highlighting a high content of molecules belonging to different chemical classes, such as sugars, fatty acids and carboxylic acids. A spectrophotometric analysis of total polyphenols and tannins, investigation into the scavenging activity towards DPPH and ABTS radicals and confocal microscopy of brewer's yeast cells were carried out. Moreover, the cytoprotective and antioxidant properties towards the oxidative damage induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH) in human H69 cholangiocytes were investigated. Finally, the modulation of Nrf2 signaling under oxidative stress conditions was also evaluated. Both samples of beer were shown to contain similar levels of total polyphenols and tannins, with slightly increased levels in that containing spirulina 0.25% w/v. Moreover, the beers were found to be endowed with radical scavenging properties towards both DPPH and ABTS radicals, albeit with a weak contribution of spirulina; however, a higher riboflavin content was detected in spirulina-treated yeast cells. Conversely, the addition of spirulina (0.25% w/v) appeared to improve the cytoprotective properties of beer towards tBOOH-induced oxidative damage in H69 cells and reduce intracellular oxidative stress. Accordingly, the cytosolic Nrf2 expression was found to be increased.

13.
Phytother Res ; 37(5): 2168-2186, 2023 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37039761

RESUMO

In the search for compounds that inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, isoquinoline-containing alkaloids have been identified as compounds with high potential to fight the disease. In addition to having strong antiviral activities, most of these alkaloids have significant anti-inflammatory effects which are often manifested through the inhibition of a promising host-based anti-COVID-19 target, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. In the present review, our pharmacological and medicinal chemistry evaluation resulted in highlighting the potential of anti-SARS-CoV-2 isoquinoline-based alkaloids for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Considering critical parameters of the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities, mechanism of action, as well as toxicity/safety profile, we introduce the alkaloids emetine, cephaeline, and papaverine as high-potential therapeutic agents for use in the treatment of COVID-19. Although preclinical studies confirm that some isoquinoline-based alkaloids reviewed in this study have a high potential to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2, their entry into drug regimens of COVID-19 patients requires further clinical trial studies and toxicity evaluation.


Assuntos
Alcaloides , COVID-19 , Humanos , Química Farmacêutica , SARS-CoV-2 , Pandemias , Isoquinolinas/farmacologia , Isoquinolinas/uso terapêutico , Alcaloides/farmacologia , Alcaloides/uso terapêutico , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Antivirais/farmacologia , Antivirais/uso terapêutico
14.
Antibiotics (Basel) ; 12(2)2023 Jan 27.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36830165

RESUMO

The increasing of drug-resistant bacteria and the scanty availability of novel effective antibacterial agents represent alarming problems of the modern society, which stimulated researchers to investigate novel strategies to replace or assist synthetic antibiotics. A great deal of attention has been devoted over the years to essential oils that contain mixtures of volatile compounds and have been traditionally exploited as antimicrobial remedies. Among the essential oil phytochemicals, remarkable antimicrobial and antibiotic-potentiating activities have been highlighted for cinnamaldehyde, an α,ß-unsaturated aldehyde, particularly abundant in the essential oils of Cinnamomum spp., and widely used as a food additive in industrial products. In line with this evidence, in the present study, an overview of the available literature has been carried out in order to define the bacterial sensitizing profile of cinnamaldehyde. In vitro studies displayed the ability of the substance to resensitize microbial strains to drugs and increase the efficacy of different antibiotics, especially cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin; however, in vivo, and clinical trials are lacking. Based on the collected findings, cinnamaldehyde appears to be of interest as an adjuvant agent to overcome superbug infections and antibiotic resistance; however, future more in-dept studies and clinical investigations should be encouraged to clarify its efficacy and the mechanisms involved.

15.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(1)2023 Dec 26.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38203520

RESUMO

In this work, for the first time, a gruyt beer and the same one after the addition of Citrus aurantium essential oil (AEO), were investigated to determine the composition of the volatile fraction. The applied analytical techniques, such as Head Space/Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HS/SPME-GC-MS) and Proton Transfer Reaction-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS), allowed us to identify the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). From the comparison between the two beer samples, it showed that the one after the addition of AEO was particularly richened in limonene and a series of minor terpene compounds. AEO was also characterized by GC/MS analysis and the results showed that limonene reached 95%. Confocal microscopy was used to look at riboflavin autofluorescence in yeast cells. It was found that beer with AEO had twice as much fluorescence intensity as the control. A spectrophotometric analysis of total polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids, and a bioactivity screening, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azinobis-(3-Ethylbenzthiazolin-6-Sulfonic Acid) (ABTS) radical scavenger, chelating, reducing, antiglycative ones, were also carried out. Moreover, the tolerability of the tested samples in human H69 cholangiocytes and the cytoprotection towards the tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH)-induced oxidative damage were evaluated. Under our experimental conditions, the beers were found to be able to scavenge DPPH and ABTS radicals and chelate iron ions, despite weak antiglycative and reducing properties. The tested samples did not affect the viability of H69 cholangiocytes up to the highest concentrations; moreover, no signs of cytoprotection against the damage induced by tBOOH were highlighted. Adding AEO to beer resulted in a moderate enhancement of its DPPH scavenging and chelating abilities, without improvements in the other assays. Conversely, AEO and its major compound limonene were ineffective when assessed at the concentrations added to beer. This evidence suggests that the addition of AEO may enhance the organoleptic features of the beer and slightly potentiate some of its bioactivities.


Assuntos
Benzotiazóis , Compostos de Bifenilo , Citrus , Óleos Voláteis , Ácidos Sulfônicos , Humanos , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Limoneno , Cerveja
16.
Biomedicines ; 10(9)2022 Sep 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36140359

RESUMO

Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) has been associated with an increased risk of fatal breast cancers and recurrence, along with chemoresistance and chemotherapy impairment. This strengthens the interest in chemopreventive agents to be exploited both in healthy and oncological subjects to prevent or repair CS damage. In the present study, we evaluated the chemopreventive properties of the natural sesquiterpene ß-caryophyllene towards the damage induced by cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) in triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells. Particularly, we assessed the ability of the sesquiterpene to interfere with the mechanisms exploited by CSC to promote cell survival and chemoresistance, including genomic instability, cell cycle progress, autophagy/apoptosis, cell migration and related pathways. ß-Caryophyllene was found to be able to increase the CSC-induced death of MDA-MB-468 cells, likely triggering oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; moreover, it hindered cell recovery, autophagy activation and cell migration; at last, a marked inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation was highlighted: this could represent a key mechanism of the chemoprevention by ß-caryophyllene. Although further studies are required to confirm the in vivo efficacy of ß-caryophyllene, the present results suggest a novel strategy to reduce the harmful effect of smoke in cancer patients and to improve the survival expectations in breast cancer women.

17.
Nutrients ; 14(18)2022 Sep 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36145084

RESUMO

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, characterized by neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter deficits, and neurodegeneration, which finally leads to neuronal death. Emerging evidence highlighted that hyperglycemia and brain insulin resistance represent risk factors for AD development, thus suggesting the existence of an additional AD form, associated with glucose metabolism impairment, named type 3 diabetes. Owing to the limited pharmacological options, novel strategies, especially dietary approaches based on the consumption of polyphenols, have been addressed to prevent or, at least, slow down AD progression. Among polyphenols, ferulic acid is a hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, widely distributed in nature, especially in cereal bran and fruits, and known to be endowed with many bioactivities, especially antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic, thus suggesting it could be exploited as a possible novel neuroprotective strategy. Considering the importance of ferulic acid as a bioactive molecule and its widespread distribution in foods and medicinal plants, the aim of the present narrative review is to provide an overview on the existing preclinical and clinical evidence about the neuroprotective properties and mechanisms of action of ferulic acid, also focusing on its ability to modulate glucose homeostasis, in order to support a further therapeutic interest for AD and type 3 diabetes.


Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Diabetes Mellitus , Fármacos Neuroprotetores , Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Doença de Alzheimer/prevenção & controle , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/uso terapêutico , Ácidos Cumáricos/farmacologia , Ácidos Cumáricos/uso terapêutico , Diabetes Mellitus/tratamento farmacológico , Glucose/metabolismo , Humanos , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/metabolismo , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/uso terapêutico
18.
Nutrients ; 14(16)2022 Aug 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36014802

RESUMO

Most university students do not follow recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, with a consequent increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The aim of this study was to compare obesity prevalence and biomarkers of metabolic status between Italian and Spanish university students, in relation with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Food consumption, adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD), level of physical activity (PA), blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and ketones, blood pressure, and body composition were evaluated. Among CVD risk factors, only glucose was significantly higher in Spaniards (SP), and only 3.1% of SP presented ketosis. SP had a higher percentage of energy from fat. Although adherence to MD and fruit and vegetable consumption did not differ between Italians and SP, students who consumed at least four servings of fruit and vegetables (FV group) showed better values for pressure and metabolic parameters than the no FV group. We observed an association between consumption of fruit and PA. Students who consumed more vegetables than fruit reported a better body composition profile and lower glucose concentrations. As previously suggested, in addition to PA, two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables per day should be recommended.


Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares , Verduras , Composição Corporal , Dieta , Frutas , Glucose , Humanos , Estudantes , Universidades
19.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel) ; 15(8)2022 Aug 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36015136

RESUMO

Sideritis sipylea Boiss. (Fam. Lamiaceae) is an endemic plant of the North Aegean Islands (Greece), commonly known as ironwort. Traditionally, its aerial parts have been used to relieve several ailments, especially gastrointestinal disorders, however, with scant knowledge about the pharmacological basis. In the present study, an endemic S. sipylea Greek species from Lesvos Island has been characterized for phytochemical composition and biological activities, in order to give a possible scientific basis to its traditional use and to highlight a further nutraceutical interest as a source of bioactive phytochemicals and extracts. Three different fractions obtained from a methanolic extract of S. sipylea aerial parts by using ethyl acetate with 10 (S10), 20 (S20), and 50% (S50) methanol as fractionation solvents were phytochemically characterized. Moreover, their antioxidant power and cytoprotective activity in different human cell lines were evaluated. The phytochemical analysis highlighted the presence of flavonoids, iridoids, and phenolic acids in all the tested samples. Particularly, the S10 fraction mainly contained iridoids, while S20 and S50 lavandulifolioside and chlorogenic acid, respectively. The fractions also showed antioxidant properties, S10 and S20 being the most potent. When assessed in human cholangiocytes, they counteracted the cytotoxicity of the tBOOH pro-oxidant agent, by reducing ROS levels and affecting GSH antioxidant system. The present findings highlight a possible interest in S10 and S20 fractions from S. sipylea as sources of bioactive molecules and stimulate further studies in order to characterize their possible application for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical purposes.

20.
Nutrients ; 14(15)2022 Jul 30.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35956325

RESUMO

Green-tea-based products and their polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate, have attracted great attention over the years as possible nutraceuticals, due to their promising bioactivities, especially antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which could be exploited in several diseases, including skin ailments. In this context, the present study aimed at reviewing clinical evidence about the benefits of the oral administration of green tea preparations and its polyphenols to relieve skin disorders, to point out the current knowledge, and to suggest possible novel strategies to effectively exploit the properties of green tea, also managing safety risks. To this end, a systematic review of the existing literature was carried out, using the PRISMA method. Few studies, including five focused on UV-induced erythema and skin alterations, three on photoaging, two on antioxidant skin defenses, and one on acne and genodermatosis, were retrieved. Despite several benefits, clinical evidence only supports the use of oral green tea preparations to protect skin from damage induced by ultraviolet radiation; in other cases, conflicting results and methodological limits of clinical trials do not allow one to clarify their efficacy. Therefore, their application as adjuvant or alternative sunscreen-protective interventions could be encouraged, in compliance with the safety recommendations.


Assuntos
Camellia sinensis , Catequina , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Catequina/efeitos adversos , Polifenóis/efeitos adversos , Pele , Chá , Raios Ultravioleta/efeitos adversos
SELEÇÃO DE REFERÊNCIAS
DETALHE DA PESQUISA