Fetal programming: in utero exposure to acrylamide leads to intergenerational disrupted ovarian function and accelerated ovarian aging.

In this study we investigated the effects of multigenerational exposures to acrylamide (ACR) on ovarian function. Fifty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were divided into the control and ACR-treated groups (2.5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day) from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery. The obtained females of the first (AF1) and second generation (AF2) were euthanized at 4 weeks of age, and plasma and ovary samples were collected. We found that in utero multigenerational exposure to ACR reduced fertility and ovarian function in AF1 through inducing histopathological changes as evidenced by the appearance of cysts and degenerating follicles, oocyte vacuolization, and pyknosis in granulosa cells. TMR red positive cells confirmed by TUNEL assay were mostly detected in the stroma of the treated groups. Estradiol and IGF-1 concentrations significantly decreased as a result of decreased CYP19 gene and its protein expression. However, ACR exposure in AF2 led to early ovarian aging as evidenced by high estradiol and progesterone levels among all treated groups compared to control group, corresponding to the upregulation of the CYP19 gene and protein expression. The apoptotic cells of the stroma were greatly detected compared to that in the control group, whereas no significant difference was reported in ESR1 and ESR2 gene expression. This study confirms the developmental adverse effects of ACR on ovarian function and fertility in at least two consecutive generations. It emphasizes the need for more effective strategies during pregnancy, such as eating healthy foods and avoiding consumption of ACR-rich products, including fried foods and coffee.

HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS profiling and therapeutic effects of Schinus terebinthifolius and Schinus molle fruits: investigation of their antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties.

The aim of the current work was to study the phytochemical variability among Schinus terebinthifolius (STE) and Schinus molle (SME) fruit extracts. The in vitro antioxidant, antihemolytic, antidiabetic, and macromolecule damage protective activities, as well as, the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive capacities were assessed. Using the HPLC-ESI-QTOF/MS analysis, the chemical profile of fruit extract varied between S. terebinthifolius (30 compounds) and S. molle (16 compounds). The major compound was masazino-flavanone (5774.98 and 1177.65 µg/g sample for STE and SME, respectively). The investigations highlighted significant antioxidant proprieties when using ABTS radical (IC50; 0.12 and 0.14 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively), superoxide (IC50; 0.17 and 0.22 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively) and hydrogen peroxide (IC50; 014 and 0.17 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively). In addition, STE and SME proved preventive effects against H2O2-induced hemolysis (IC50; 0.22 and 0.14 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively). The in vitro antidiabetic effect revealed that STE and SME exhibited important inhibitory effects against α-amylase (IC50; 0.13 and 0.19 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively) and α-glycosidase (IC50; 0.21 and 0.18 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively) when compared with acarbose. Furthermore, the extracts showed potent inhibitory activity against AAPH-induced plasmid DNA damage, and protein oxidation. In vivo study revealed that STE and SME presented interesting antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory capacities. All observed effects highlighted the potential application of Schinus fruit extract in food and pharmaceutical industries against ROS-induced damage.

Schinus terebinthifolius fruits intake ameliorates metabolic disorders, inflammation, oxidative stress, and related vascular dysfunction, in atherogenic diet-induced obese rats. Insight of their chemical characterization using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Schinus terebinthifolius is traditionally used for its anti inflammatory capacity, and indicated as a cardioprotective agent, whereas, its preventive effect against atherogenic diet fed (AD) induced metabolic disorders and the underlying mechanisms has not yet been explored. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorative role of Schinus terebinthifolius fruits extract (STFE) against cardiovascular problem, oxidative and inflammatory status related to obesity in rats fed an atherogenic diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The metabolites profile in STFE was evaluated using HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis. In Wistar rats, atherogenic diet was added for 9 weeks to induce lipid accumulation simultaneously with STFE (50 mg/kg b. w) or saline treatment. Biochemical, oxidant, and inflammatory criteria together with hepatic and arterial integrity examination were assessed. RESULTS: A total of thirty three metabolites were identified using HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS, among them masazino-flavanone was the major compound (2645.50 µg/g DW). The results indicated that STFE supplementation during 9 weeks (50 mg/kg b. w.) significantly attenuated the altered lipid profile by decreasing the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and increasing the HDL-C content both in plasma and liver, when compared with the AD-group. The histological analysis using ORO staining revealed a decrease in the lipid droplet deposit in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes of STFE + AD group. The addition of STFE could improve the glycemic status of AD-treated rats by decreasing the glucose and insulin secretion, and ameliorating the hepatic glycogen synthesis. The harmful effects of atherogenic diet on hepatic oxidative stress indicators (MDA, PC, GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx), biochemical markers (AST, ALT, LDH and ALP), and liver function, were found to be decreased by the addition of STFE. Moreover, the reduction of inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α), associated to alleviating of aortic oxidative stress and integrity, highlighted the positive anti-atherogenic effect of STFE. CONCLUSION: Overall, the pleiotropic protective effect observed with S. terebinthifolius fruits might be related to the presence of various bioactive compounds.

Multidirectional insights on polysaccharides from Schinus terebinthifolius and Schinus molle fruits: Physicochemical and functional profiles, in vitro antioxidant, anti-genotoxicity, antidiabetic, and antihemolytic capacities, and in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties.

The aim of the current study was to compare crude polysaccharides extracted from Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (PSTF) and S. molle L. (PSMF) fruits based on their structures, physicochemical characteristics, monosaccharide composition, as well as in vitro and in vivo assays. The extraction yield of PSTF (4.26%) was higher than that of PSMF (3.56%). Remarkable variability was detected in the content of carbohydrates (80.64 ± 0.98%), protein (1.80 ± 0.28%), fat (0.04 ± 0.005%) and ash (6.32 ± 0.26%). FT-IR assay and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed that fruits extract showed similar structural characteristics. Thin layer chromatography together with HPLC-RID analysis showed that the monosaccharide composition varied significantly between species. Both contained arabinose (40.55-42.03%) galacturonic acid (31.21-41.15%), and fucose (10.90-17.63%), but PSTF had glucose (9.13%) whereas PSMF had galactose (7.40%). Functional analyses demonstrated that samples exhibited favorable water- and oil-retention capacity, emulsifying properties, and foaming qualities. PSTF exhibited the highest antioxidant effects. Both of them showed a remarkable in vitro antidiabetic effect. PSMF highly mitigated H2O2-induced hemolysis and exhibited ~80% antihemolytic activity. The extracted polysaccharides showed potent inhibitory activity against AAPH-induced plasmid DNA damage. PSTF and PSMF revealed interesting in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory capacities.