Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of rhizome aqueous extract of sea holly (Eryngium maritimum L.) on Jurkat cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus Eryngium is known for producing a wide range of bioactive compounds with proved medicinal properties. In the last years, research has focused on E. maritimum, with previous studies reporting anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Ethnobotanical literature suggests that it has been traditionally used to treat a wide range of illnesses, having antitussive, diuretic and aphrodisiac properties. Being rhizome one of the most bioactive organs, much of the available references from traditional uses suggest that it has been specifically used to treat renal diseases. In this sense, inflammation and oxidative processes play a major role in kidney dysfunctions, which could be associated to the mechanism of action of the plant extracts. AIM OF THE STUDY: The main aim of the study was to investigate the effects of E. maritimum rhizome extract on the antioxidant and inflammatory response in human immune cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rhizome extracts were obtained from plants growing in Mallorca (Balearic Islands), and its composition was determined using HPLC-DAD, highlighting simple phenolic compounds such as trans-ferulic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin and rosmarinic acid as the major constituents. Total antioxidant capacity was determined using the FRAP assay. Jurkat cells were cultured to analyse cytotoxicity by cell viability assay. In parallel, cells were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and treated with different extract concentrations. Gene and protein expression, as well as nitrite and cytokine levels were evaluated as indicators of metabolic responses. RESULTS: The plant extract showed a high diversity of pharmacologically bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic uses. The extract presented null cytotoxicity and exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on Jurkat cells by inducing an antioxidant response and reducing cytokine and nitric oxide release and the expression of pro-inflammatory genes. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that E. maritimum is a promising phytotherapeutic species because of its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, which could explain some of its traditional uses.

Phytate Decreases Formation of Advanced Glycation End-Products in Patients with Type II Diabetes: Randomized Crossover Trial.

Myo-inositol hexaphosphate (phytate; IP6) is a natural compound that is abundant in cereals, legumes, and nuts and it has the ability to chelate metal cations. The binding of IP6 to transition metals suggests that it could be used for the treatment of metal-catalyzed protein glycation, which appears to trigger diabetes-related diseases. Our in vitro studies showed that IP6 reduced the formation of Fe3+-catalyzed advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). This led us to perform a randomized cross-over trial to investigate the impact of the daily consumption IP6 on protein glycation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; n = 33). Thus, we measured AGEs, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), several vascular risk factors, and urinary IP6 at baseline and at the end of the intervention period. Patients who consumed IP6 supplements for 3 months had lower levels of circulating AGEs and HbA1c than those who did not consume IP6. This is the first report to show that consumption of IP6 inhibits protein glycation in patients with T2DM. Considering that AGEs contribute to microvascular and macrovascular complications in T2DM, our data indicates that dietary supplementation with IP6 should be considered as a therapy to prevent the formation of AGEs and therefore, the development of diabetes-related diseases in patients with T2DM.