The Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antioxidant Effects of Polyphenols from Brassica oleracea var. capitata Extract on Induced Inflammation in Rodents.

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties of polyphenols extracted from Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) ethanolic extract (BOE). Given the historical use of cabbage in traditional medicine for treating various ailments, this research aims to validate these effects scientifically. The study involved the characterization of BOE's bioactive compounds using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection-Electro-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI MS) analysis. We assessed the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of topical and oral BOE administration on rodent models with acute and subacute inflammation. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity of orally administered BOE was evaluated. The results showed that BOE possesses significant levels of phenolic compounds with a potent antioxidant activity. The topical administration of BOE demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory effects in the tested rodent models, which were comparable with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These findings suggest that BOE could be a valuable natural remedy for inflammation-related conditions, supporting its traditional uses and highlighting its potential for further pharmacological development.

[Myalgic encephalomyelitis : etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment]. / Encéphalomyélite myalgique : étiopathogénie, diagnostic et traitement.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a neurological disorder involving multiple pathophysiological mechanisms and etiologies. Symptoms include asthenia, myalgia, post-exertional malaise and neurocognitive disorders. While the numerous patient complaints pose a diagnostic challenge, the advent of new technologies paves the way for innovative methods to reveal ME. The heterogeneity of the disease's mechanisms complicates the search for effective treatments but also offers the prospect of numerous beneficial molecules. Combining treatments targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation and immunological disorders appears to be the current optimal therapeutic approach.

L'encéphalomyélite myalgique (EM), aussi connue sous le nom de syndrome de fatigue chronique (SFC), est une maladie neurologique impliquant des mécanismes physiopathologiques et des étiologies multiples. Les symptômes comprennent une asthénie, des myalgies, un malaise après effort et des troubles neurocognitifs. Si les nombreuses plaintes des patients représentent un défi diagnostique, l'apparition de nouvelles technologies ouvre la voie à des méthodes novatrices pour révéler l'EM. L'hétérogénéité des mécanismes de la maladie complique la recherche de traitements efficaces mais offre également la perspective de nombreuses molécules bénéfiques. Associer des traitements ciblant le dysfonctionnement mitochondrial, le stress oxydatif, l'inflammation et les troubles immunologiques semble être la meilleure démarche thérapeutique actuelle.

Polyphenols from Dichrostachys cinerea Fruits Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antioxidant Capacity in Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Rat Model.

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wigth & Arn. (DC) is widely used in traditional medicine against several inflammatory diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis, because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to characterize the polyphenol-rich DC fruit extracts and investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in a rat inflammation model induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Water and ethanolic extracts were characterized using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The polyphenol-rich extracts were administered in three different concentrations for 30 days. Pain threshold, thermal hyperalgesia, edema, and serum biomarkers specific to inflammatory processes or oxidative stress were evaluated. Both extracts were rich in polyphenolic compounds, mainly flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, and flavone glycosides, which had important in vitro antioxidant capacity. DC fruit extracts administration had the maximum antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects after one day since the CFA injection and showed promising results for long-term use as well. The measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cortisol, and oxidative stress parameters showed that DC extracts significantly reduced these parameters, being dose and extract-type dependent. These results showed potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidative properties and revealed the necessity of using a standardized polyphenolic DC extract to avoid result variability.

Comparative Protective Effect of Nigella sativa Oil and Vitis vinifera Seed Oil in an Experimental Model of Isoproterenol-Induced Acute Myocardial Ischemia in Rats.

The study's aim was to characterize the composition of Nigella sativa seed (NSO) and grape seed (GSO) oils, and to evaluate their cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effect on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced ischemia in rats. Materials and Methods: NSO and GSO supplements were physicochemically characterized. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were used to determine the phytochemical composition in the oils. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and in vitro antioxidant activity were also determined. Pretreatment with 4 mL/kg/day NSO or GSO was administered to rats for 14 days. The experimental ischemia was induced by a single administration of ISO 45 mg/kg after 14 days. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed initially and 24 h after ISO. Biological evaluation was done at the end of experiment. Results: The HPLC-MS, GC-MS, and FTIR analyses showed that both NSO and GSO are important sources of bioactive compounds, especially catechin and phenolic acids in GSO, while NSO was enriched in flavonoids and thymol derivatives. Pretreatment with GSO and NSO significantly reduced ventricular conduction, prevented the cardiotoxic effect of ISO in ventricular myocardium, and reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines and CK-Mb. Conclusion: Both NSO and GSO were shown to have an anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effect in ISO-induced ischemia.

Cytokines, paraoxonase-1, periostin and non-invasive liver fibrosis scores in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and persistently elevated aminotransferases: A pilot study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between paraoxonase-1 (PON1), periostin (POSTN), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 serum concentration with non-invasive liver fibrosis scores, in a cohort of patients with NAFLD. We studied a cohort of 52 patients diagnosed with NAFLD. The NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and BARD scores were calculated for each patient. We determined the PON1, POSTN, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 serum values using ELISA kits. There was no correlation between PON1 or POSTN serum levels and non-invasive liver fibrosis. The TNF-α serum values were independently associated with the liver fibrosis scores (P=0.02 for NFS and P=0.002 for FIB-4). Age and metabolic syndrome were also independently linked to the fibrosis scores. In conclusion, serum levels of TNF-α, age and metabolic syndrome were associated with the non-invasive liver fibrosis scores.

CYP4F2 and VKORC1 Polymorphisms Amplify the Risk of Carotid Plaque Formation.

INTRODUCTION: Atherosclerosis represents the process by which fibrous plaques are formed in the arterial wall, increasing its rigidity with a subsequent decrease in blood flow which can lead to several cardiovascular events. Seeing as vitamin K antagonists are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we decided to investigate whether polymorphisms in genes that influence vitamin K metabolism might have an impact in modulating the risk of plaque formation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the current study we included adult patients admitted in the Clinical Municipal Hospital of Cluj-Napoca without any carotid or femoral plaques clinically visible at the initial investigation, and a five year follow-up was subsequently performed. We recorded the following patient characteristics: age at inclusion, gender, area of living, smoking, presence of carotid and/or femoral plaques at five years, ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia, drug (oral anticoagulants, antihypertensives, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic) use and status for the following gene polymorphisms: VKORC1 1639 G>A, CYP4F2 1347 G>T and GGCX 12970 C>G. RESULTS: We observed that the major predictor of both carotid and femoral plaque formation is represented by ischemic cardiac disease. VKORC1 and CYP4F2 polymorphisms did not predict plaque formation, except for VKORC1 homozygous mutants. Nonetheless, both VKORC1 and CYP4F2 interacted with ischemic cardiac disease, increasing the risk of developing a carotid plaque, while only CYP4F2, but not VKORC1, interacted with ischemic cardiac disease to increase the risk of femoral plaque formation. CONCLUSIONS: We documented that CYP4F2 and VKORC1 polymorphisms boost the proinflammatory plaque environment (observed indirectly through the presence of ischemic heart disease), increasing the risk of plaque development.