An overview on the cellular mechanisms of anthocyanins in maintaining intestinal integrity and function.

Structural and functional changes of the intestinal barrier, as a consequence of a number of (epi)genetic and environmental causes, have a main role in penetrations of pathogens and toxic agents, and lead to the development of inflammation-related pathological conditions, not only at the level of the GI tract but also in other extra-digestive tissues and organs. Anthocyanins (ACNs), a subclass of polyphenols belonging to the flavonoid group, are well known for their health-promoting properties and are widely distributed in the human diet. There is large evidence about the correlation between the human intake of ACN-rich products and a reduction of intestinal inflammation and dysfunction. Our review describes the more recent advances in the knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms through which ACNs can modulate the main mechanisms involved in intestinal dysfunction and inflammation, in particular the inhibition of the NF-κB, JNK, MAPK, STAT3, and TLR4 proinflammatory pathways, the upregulation of the Nrf2 transcription factor and the expression of tight junction proteins and mucins.

Low concentrations of α-lipoic acid reduce palmitic acid-induced alterations in murine hypertrophic adipocytes.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder with excessive body fat accumulation, increasing incidence of chronic metabolic diseases. Hypertrophic obesity is associated with local oxidative stress and inflammation. Herein, we evaluated the in vitro activity of micromolar concentrations of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on palmitic acid (PA)-exposed murine hypertrophic 3T3-L1 adipocytes, focussing on the main molecular pathways involved in adipogenesis, inflammation, and insulin resistance. ALA, starting from 1 µM, decreased adipocytes hypertrophy, reducing PA-triggered intracellular lipid accumulation, PPAR-γ levels, and FABP4 gene expression, and counteracted PA-induced intracellular ROS levels and NF-κB activation. ALA reverted PA-induced insulin resistance, restoring PI3K/Akt axis and inducing GLUT-1 and glucose uptake, showing insulin sensitizing properties since it increased their basal levels. In conclusion, this study supports the potential effects of low micromolar ALA against hypertrophy, inflammation, and insulin resistance in adipose tissue, suggesting its important role as pharmacological supplement in the prevention of conditions linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Phenolic Profiles, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Hydrodistillation Wastewaters from Five Lamiaceae Species.

Distillation is the most widely used method to obtain an essential oil from plant material. The biomass used in the process is returned as a solid residue together with variable amounts of water rich in water-soluble compounds, which currently are not addressed to any further application. The scope of this work was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of wastewaters coming from hydrodistillation (DWWs) of five aromatic plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, and to assess their in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The phenolic profiles of the DWWs were determined by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI/MS. Free radical scavenging ability, oxygen radical antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase mimetic activity of the samples under study were measured. Moreover, to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the DWWs, an in vitro experimental model of intestinal inflammation was used. The DWW samples' phytochemical analysis allowed the identification of 37 phenolic compounds, all exhibiting good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Our study contributes to the knowledge on the polyphenolic composition of the DWWs of five aromatic plants of the Lamiaceae family. The results highlight the presence of compounds with proven biological activity, and therefore of great interest in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of an In Vitro Digested Anthocyanin-Rich Extract on Intestinal Epithelial Cells Exposed to TNF-α.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of foods rich in anthocyanins (ACN) have been associated with beneficial properties in chronic inflammatory disorders such as intestinal bowel diseases (IBD). These effects were attributed not only to a direct antioxidant mechanism but also to the modulation of cell redox-dependent signaling. However, ACN bioavailability is low for their poor stability in the digestive tract, so ACN gastrointestinal digestion should be considered. METHODS: To have a more realistic knowledge of the effects of ACN, we performed an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion of an ACN-rich purified and standardized bilberry and blackcurrant extract (BBE), followed by an evaluation of ACN composition modification (HPLC-DAD and pH differential method) and antioxidant activity (FRAP assay). Then, we studied the effects of BBE gastrointestinal extract on Caco-2 exposed to TNF-α. RESULTS: The results confirmed the high instability of ACN in the mild alkaline environment of the small intestine (17% recovery index). However, the digested BBE maintained part of its bioactivity. Additionally, BBE gastrointestinal extract inhibited the TNF-α-induced NF-κB pathway in Caco-2 and activated the Nrf2 pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Although ACN stability is affected by gastrointestinal digestion, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of digested extracts were confirmed; thus, the loss of ACN can probably be counterweighed by their metabolites. Then, ACN introduced by diet or food supplements could represent an approach for IBD prevention.

A pinitol-rich Glycyrrhiza glabra L. leaf extract as functional supplement with potential in the prevention of endothelial dysfunction through improving insulin signalling.

Background: Glycyrrhyza glabra L. is one of the most popular medicinal plant in the world, its roots having been used since ancient times in many traditional medicines. On the contrary, scarce attention has been dedicated to liquorice aerial parts. Previous studies showed the presence of a large group of polyphenols and a consistent amount of d-pinitol in the leaf extract.Methods: The methanolic extract from G. glabra leaves was profiled for its content in polyphenols; the amount of d-pinitol was also measured with two independent methods (HPLC-ELSD and NMR). The extract was tested for its in vitro protective effects against insulin resistance-related endothelial dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to palmitic acid, which is the most prevalent saturated free fatty acid in circulation.Results: Methanolic extract from liquorice leaves has a protective effect against the lipotoxicity-associated alterations of insulin pathway in human endothelial cells, similarly to what observed with pure d-pinitol.Conclusions: Liquorice leaves are to be considered a waste product which gives a phytocomplex endowed with interesting potential therapeutic properties, moreover the use of a liquorice leaves phytocomplex rather than a pure compound allows avoiding a series of isolation/purification procedures and can be easily scaled up for industrial applications.

Effects of a pinitol-rich Glycyrrhiza glabra L. leaf extract on insulin and inflammatory signaling pathways in palmitate-induced hypertrophic adipocytes.

Glycyrrhiza glabra roots have been well studied for their pharmacological activities, whereas less research has been conducted on liquorice aerial parts. Leaves represent a good source of D-pinitol, useful in the treatment of insulin resistance-related pathologies. Herein, we analyzed the in vitro effects of a D-pinitol-rich methanolic extract from Glycyrrhiza glabra leaves (GGLME) against lipotoxicity-related hypertrophy, inflammation, and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to palmitic acid (PA), comparing its activity with D-pinitol. GGLME pretreatment decreased lipid deposition, PPAR-γ, and NF-κB pathway induced by PA, similarly to D-pinitol, and improved insulin sensitivity, in presence or not of PA, increasing PI3K, pAkt, and GLUT1 levels. This study confirms that liquorice leaves, considered a waste of resource, could potentially be reused, and support further in vivo studies on animal and human models. In conclusion, liquorice leaves extract represents a potential candidate for prevention of metabolically induced inflammation, frequently leading to metabolic disorders.

Interaction of selected terpenoids with two SARS-CoV-2 key therapeutic targets: An in silico study through molecular docking and dynamics simulations.

The outbreak of COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, along with the lack of targeted medicaments, forced the scientific world to search for new antiviral formulations. In the current emergent situation, drug repurposing of well-known traditional and/or approved drugs could be the most effective strategy. Herein, through computational approaches, we aimed to screen 14 natural compounds from limonoids and terpenoids class for their ability to inhibit the key therapeutic target proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Among these, some limonoids, namely deacetylnomilin, ichangin and nomilin, and the terpenoid ß-amyrin provided good interaction energies with SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase (Mpro) in molecular dynamic simulation. Interestingly, deacetylnomilin and ichangin showed direct interaction with the catalytic dyad of the enzyme so supporting their potential role in preventing SARS-CoV-2 replication and growth. On the contrary, despite the good affinity with the spike protein RBD site, all the selected phytochemicals lose contact with the amino acid residues over the course of 120ns-long molecular dynamics simulations therefore suggesting they scarcely can interfere in SARS-CoV-2 binding to the ACE2 receptor. The in silico analyses of docking score and binding energies, along with predicted pharmacokinetic profiles, indicate that these triterpenoids might have potential as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, recommending further in vitro and in vivo investigations for a complete understanding and confirmation of their inhibitory potential.

Silibinin as potential tool against SARS-Cov-2: In silico spike receptor-binding domain and main protease molecular docking analysis, and in vitro endothelial protective effects.

The spread of SARS-CoV-2, along with the lack of targeted medicaments, encouraged research of existing drugs for repurposing. The rapid response to SARS-CoV-2 infection comprises a complex interaction of cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and pathologic coagulation. Thus, active molecules targeting multiple steps in SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle are highly wanted. Herein we explored the in silico capability of silibinin from Silybum marianum to interact with the SARS-CoV-2 main target proteins, and the in vitro effects against cytokine-induced-inflammation and dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Computational analysis revealed that silibinin forms a stable complex with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD, has good negative binding affinity with Mpro, and interacts with many residues on the active site of Mpro, thus supporting its potentiality in inhibiting viral entry and replication. Moreover, HUVECs pretreatment with silibinin reduced TNF-α-induced gene expression of the proinflammatory genes IL-6 and MCP-1, as well as of PAI-1, a critical factor in coagulopathy and thrombosis, and of ET-1, a peptide involved in hemostatic vasoconstriction. Then, due to endothelium antiinflammatory and anticoagulant properties of silibinin and its capability to interact with SARS-CoV-2 main target proteins demonstrated herein, silibinin could be a strong candidate for COVID-19 management from a multitarget perspective.

Anthocyanins ameliorate palmitate-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Increased adiposity has been associated with adipose tissue low-grade inflammation leading to insulin resistance. Adipocyte differentiation inhibitors are expected to be effective in preventing obesity and related diseases. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are associated to enhanced adipocyte function and protection from metabolic stress. Herein, we evaluated the in vitro protective effects of an ACN rich extract against palmitic acid (PA)-induced hypertrophy, inflammation, and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. ACN extract pretreatment reduces lipid accumulation and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ protein levels induced by PA. In addition, PA induces inflammation with activation of NF-κB pathway, whereas ACN extract pretreatment dose-dependently inhibited this pathway. Furthermore, adipocyte dysfunction associated with hypertrophy induces insulin resistance by affecting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B/Akt axis, GLUT-1, and adiponectin mRNA levels. ACN extract pretreatment reverts these effects induced by PA and moreover was able to induce insulin pathway with levels higher than insulin control cells, supporting an insulin sensitizer role for ACNs. This study demonstrates a prevention potential of ACNs against obesity comorbidities, due to their protective effects against inflammation/insulin resistance in adipocytes. In addition, these results contribute to the knowledge and strategies on the evaluation of the mechanism of action of ACNs from a food source under basal and insulin resistance conditions related to obesity.

Curcumin potentiates the antitumor activity of Paclitaxel in rat glioma C6 cells.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is the most common primary cancer in central nervous system, especially in brain. Paclitaxel (PTX) is a microtubule stabilizing agent with anticancer potential, but its clinical application to brain tumours is limited by drug resistance, side effects, and lower brain penetration. PURPOSE: Herein we explored the in vitro effects, in glioma C6 cells, of the combination of PTX with curcumin, a natural compound with chemotherapeutic activity, in order to improve cytotoxic effects and overcome PTX limitations. RESULTS: Our data confirmed PTX antiproliferative activity that was improved by curcumin. These effects were confirmed by clonogenic assay and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. PTX significantly promoted generation of intracellular reactive species (RS), while curcumin did not affect RS production; the combination of the two drugs resulted in a slight but significant increase in RS levels. Furthermore, we found a constitutive activation of NF-κB in C6 cell line that was inhibited by PTX and curcumin. Interestingly, combination of the drugs totally inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation and reduced IκB phosphorylation. Our results also supported the involvement of p53-p21 axis in the anticancer effects of curcumin and PTX. The combination of the two drugs further increased p53 and p21 levels enhancing the antiproliferative effects. Furthermore, PTX plus curcumin most impressively activated caspase-3, effector of apoptosis pathways, and reduced the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that combination of PTX and curcumin exerts a potentiated anti-glioma efficacy in vitro that may help in reducing dosage and/or minimizing side effects of cytotoxic therapy.

Phytochemical profiles, phototoxic and antioxidant properties of eleven Hypericum species - A comparative study.

Hypericum is one out of the nine genera belonging to the botanical family Clusiaceae Lindl (syn. Hypericaceae Juss.; APG III, 2009). The genus contains 484 species spread worldwide, one of which, Hypericum perforatum, is largely used in folk medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, along with the antioxidant and phototoxic activity, of 11 Hypericum species grown in Sicily (H. perforatum L., H. aegypticum L., H. androsaemum L., H. calycinum L., H. hircinum L., H. hirsutum L., H. montanum L., H. patulum Thunb., H. perfoliatum L., H. pubescens Boiss., H. tetrapterum Fr.). Samples of flowering tops collected from these Hypericum species were extracted and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) to determine their content of main polyphenols, acylphloroglucinols, and naphthodianthrones. The extracts were also subjected to a photocytotoxic assay using murine fibroblast (NIH/3T3), and their antioxidant activity evaluated by means of Folin-Ciocalteau, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity assays. Phytochemical analysis allowed us to identify and quantify 20 metabolites, each of them possessing a well-known biological activity. Furthermore, all examined species showed a good cytotoxic and antioxidant/radical scavenging activity. These results indicate that in addition to the well-known H. perforatum, at least other three species (H. tetrapterum, H. pubescens, and H. montanum) represent potential sources of biologically active compounds, and at least other two species (H. perfoliatum and H. tetrapterum), due to their phototoxicity are candidates for application in photodynamic therapy.

Berry anthocyanins reduce proliferation of human colorectal carcinoma cells by inducing caspase-3 activation and p21 upregulation.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer worldwide, and adenocarcinoma cells that form the majority of colorectal tumors are markedly resistant to antineoplastic agents. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that consumption of fruits and vegetables that are rich in polyphenols, is linked to reduced risk of colorectal cancer. In the present study, the effect of a standardized anthocyanin (ACN)­rich extract on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle in the Caco-2 human colorectal cancer cell line was evaluated by trypan blue and clonogenic assays and western blot analysis of cleaved caspase­3 and p21Waf/Cif1. The results of the current study demonstrated that the ACN extract markedly decreased Caco­2 cell proliferation, induced apoptosis by activating caspase­3 cleavage, and upregulated cyclin­dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (p21Waf/Cif1) expression in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, ACN extract was able to produce a dose­dependent increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Caco­2 cells, together with a light increase of the cell total antioxidant status. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that a standardized berry anthocyanin rich extract inhibited proliferation of Caco­2 cells by promoting ROS accumulation, inducing caspase­3 activation, and upregulating the expression of p21Waf/Cif1.

Wild Sicilian rosemary: phytochemical and morphological screening and antioxidant activity evaluation of extracts and essential oils.

To identify the best biotypes, an extensive survey of Sicilian wild rosemary was carried out by collecting 57 samples from various sites, followed by taxonomic characterization from an agronomic perspective. All the biotypes collected were classified as Rosmarinus officinalis L. A cluster analysis based on the morphological characteristics of the plants allowed the division of the biotypes into seven main groups, although the characteristics examined were found to be highly similar and not area-dependent. Moreover, all samples were analyzed for their phytochemical content, applying an extraction protocol to obtain the nonvolatile components and hydrodistillation to collect the essential oils for the volatile components. The extracts were characterized by LC-UV-DAD/ESI-MS, and the essential oils by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. In the nonvolatile fractions, 18 components were identified, namely, 13 flavones, two organic acids, and three diterpenes. In the volatile fractions, a total of 82 components were found, with as predominant components α-pinene and camphene among the monoterpene hydrocarbons and 1,8-cineole, camphor, borneol, and verbenone among the oxygenated monoterpenes. Cluster analyses were carried out on both phytochemical profiles, allowing the separation of the rosemary samples into different chemical groups. Finally, the total phenol content and the antioxidant activity of the essential oils and extracts were determined with the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) colorimetric assay, the UV radiation-induced peroxidation in liposomal membranes (UV-IP test), and the scavenging activity of the superoxide radical (O$\rm{{_{2}^{{^\cdot} -}}}$). The present study confirmed that the essential oils and organic extracts of the Sicilian rosemary samples analyzed showed a considerable antioxidant/free radical-scavenging activity.

Interleukin-10 involvement in exposure to low dose of benzene.

OBJECTIVE: To establish if serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in subjects exposed to benzene are connected with age, working years, and employment age. METHODS: We evaluated serum levels of IL-10 in 51 employees working in oil refinery (group A) and in 16 office workers who resided in the same area (group B). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between serum concentrations of IL-10 in groups A and B. There was a statistically significant dependent relationship in group A between age, working years, and serum concentration of IL-10. There was a statistically significant and positive dependent relationship in group A between serum concentration of IL-10 and employment age. CONCLUSIONS: The role played by IL-10 in benzene immune suppression may be relevant and attention should be directed toward assessment of age, working years, and employment age in benzene-exposed populations.

Protective effect of red orange extract supplementation against UV-induced skin damages: photoaging and solar lentigines.

BACKGROUND: Exposure of the skin to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiations causes important oxidative damages that result in clinical and hystopathological changes, contributing to premature skin aging. Hyperpigmented lesions, also known as age spots, are one of the most visible alterations in skin photoaging. Skin is naturally equipped with antioxidant systems against UV-induced ROS generation; however, these antioxidant defenses are not completely efficient during exposure to sunlight. Oral antioxidants are able to counteract the harmful effects of UV radiation and to strengthen the physiological skin antioxidant defenses. AIMS: The present study was performed to evaluate the in vivo skin photo-protecting and anti-aging effects of a red orange (Citrus sinensis varieties Moro, Tarocco and Sanguinello) extract supplementation. Previous studies showed that red orange extracts possess strong in vitro free radical scavenging/antioxidant activity and photo-protective effects on human skin. MATERIALS/METHODS: The photo-protective effects of red orange extract intake against UV-induced skin erythema and melanin production in solar lentigo was evaluated on healthy volunteers by an objective instrumental method (reflectance spectrophotometry). RESULTS: Data obtained from in vivo studies showed that supplementation of red orange extract (100 mg/daily) for 15 days brought a significant reduction in the UV-induced skin erythema degree. Moreover, skin age spots pigmentation (melanin content) decreased from 27% to 7% when subjects were exposed to solar lamp during red orange extract supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Red orange extract intake can strengthen physiological antioxidant skin defenses, protecting skin from the damaging processes involved in photo-aging and leading to an improvement in skin appearance and pigmentation.

Selective COX-2 inhibitory properties of dihydrostilbenes from liquorice leaves--in vitro assays and structure/activity relationship study.

Three dihydrostilbenes belonging to the polyphenol pool characterized in the leaves of Sicilian liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) have been tested for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The three dihydrostilbenes (PA-82, GA-23, DO-07) were in vitro tested to evaluate their capability to scavenge the stable radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and to decrease thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in human whole blood samples. On the basis of the observed capability of these compounds to affect the cell COX-1/COX-2 pathway, a molecular docking study was carried out in order to understand in detail the ability of these compounds to bind to COX-1 and COX-2. The results show that the liquorice dihydrostilbenes are preferred ligands for COX-2 rather than for COX-1, providing a good rational for the observed selectivity in ex vivo experiments. Therefore, they appear to be good candidates for employment in human therapy against inflammation-related pathological conditions.

Increased serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products and glycation end products in subjects exposed to low-dose benzene.

Simple aromatic hydrocarbon benzene occurs naturally in crude oil and petroleum. Benzene has been internationally recognised as a haematotoxin and carcinogen. The involvement of oxidative stress is a major susceptibility factors for benzene hematotoxicity in humans. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are modified structures which can serve as markers of oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to assess modification of circulating AOPPs and AGEs, as early markers of oxidative stress, in subjects exposed to low dose of benzene. Furthermore the genetic polymorphism of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) may be related to health effects of benzene exposure, in fact both genotype T1 (GSTT1) and M1 (GSTM1) are involved in the detoxification of benzene oxide. The study was performed on 54 workers oil refinery employees. A group of 32 healthy age-matched subjects was included as controls. The AOPPs serum levels in oil refinery employees were higher in a statistically significant way than those measured in controls, but there were no significant changes in serum AGE levels between both groups. However, GST polymorphisms had not influence on serum levels of both biomarkers, so demonstrating that production of circulating AGEs and AOPPs in benzene parity-exposed workers levels is not dependent by GST genotypes. We can conclude that, in this condition, AOPPs are more sensitive marker of low benzene exposure than AGEs.

Phytocomplexes from liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) leaves--chemical characterization and evaluation of their antioxidant, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Three extracts of different polarities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. leaves were characterized and evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity. In total, thirty components have been identified and quantified through the use of liquid chromatography (LC) with ultraviolet-visible diode-array-detector (UV-vis-DAD) and mass spectrometry (MS). The main components belong to the polyphenols family, being flavonoid and dihydrostilbene derivatives. The extracts have been investigated for their antioxidant, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities, which are fundamental requirements of efficacious chemo-preventive agents. The ethyl acetate extract proved to be the most valuable, evidently for the conspicuous presence of several polyphenols, namely flavonoids and dihydrostilbenes.

In vitro protective effects of two extracts from bergamot peels on human endothelial cells exposed to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Bergamot ( Citrus bergamia Risso) is a less commercialized Citrus fruit, mainly used for its essential oil extracted from the peel. Bergamot peel (BP) represents about 60% of the processed fruits and is regarded as primary waste. However, it contains good amounts of useful compounds, such as pectins and flavonoids. Many of the bioactivities of Citrus flavonoids appear to impact vascular endothelial cells. Herein, we report the protective effect of two flavonoid-rich extracts from BP (endowed with radical-scavenging properties and lacking genotoxic activity) against alterations in cell modifications induced by the pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as demonstrated by monitoring intracellular levels of malondialdehyde/4-hydroxynonenal, reduced and oxidized glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity, and the activation status of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Thus, BP appears to be a potential source of natural antioxidant/anti-inflammatory phytocomplexes to be employed as ingredients of nutraceutical products or functional foods.

Protective effects of a standardised red orange extract on air pollution-induced oxidative damage in traffic police officers.

Several pathological conditions have all been associated with a higher release of atmospheric pollutants. There is growing evidence that oxidative stress may represent one of the agents involved in the initiation and/or progression of many of these pathologies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of short-term dietary supplementation with a standardised red orange extract (ROC) on a group of traffic police officers exposed to traffic exhaust pollution and cigarette smoking, by measuring some noninvasive biomarkers of oxidative stress. At the beginning of the study, all the groups showed similar serum lipid hydroperoxide levels, but traffic officers showed lower serum concentrations of thiol (SH) groups; furthermore, the frequency of spontaneous sister chromatide exchanges (SCEs) in peripheral lymphocytes was increased by smoking (but not by pollution exposure alone) at a higher degree in subjects exposed to traffic pollution. After 1 month of ROC administration, serum lipid hydroperoxide levels decreased only in all non-smoking subjects; furthermore, SH group levels measured in traffic officers appeared restored to normal values observed in the respective controls. Finally, the increase in SCE frequency induced by smoking was reduced by treatment with ROC especially in traffic officers. Our study suggests that ROC supplementation could be useful to minimise the detrimental effects caused by exposure to air pollution and smoking.