Chemical Composition, Diuretic, and Antityrosinase Activity of Traditionally Used Romanian Cerasorum stipites.

Cherry stems (CS) represent a by-product intensively used in Eastern European countries as a traditional remedy for urinary tract disorders. Ethnopharmacological evidences sustain the use of CS as aqueous preparations (infusion and decoction), but few data were previously reported about phytochemical profile and pharmacological potential of CS hydroalcoholic extracts. In this regard, we aimed to evaluate the phenolic profile, in vitro antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory potential, and in vivo diuretic activity of 70% hydroethanolic cherry stems extract and cherry stems decoction (CSD). LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid-type compounds as main constituents for both preparations, especially flavanones (naringenin glycosides). Antioxidant activity evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods was superior for cherry stems extract, probably due to the presence of phenolic-derived compounds in higher amounts than CSD. On the other hand, tyrosinase inhibitory potential and diuretic effect exerted by CSD were stronger, highlighting that other types of hydrophilic secondary metabolites are responsible for this bioactivity. Overall, our findings indicate that CS preparations could be used as promising mild diuretic agents and encourage further investigations regarding the correlation between their chemical composition and bioactive potential.

The Effect of Nano-Epigallocatechin-Gallate on Oxidative Stress and Matrix Metalloproteinases in Experimental Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The antioxidant properties of epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), a green tea compound, have been already studied in various diseases. Improving the bioavailability of EGCG by nanoformulation may contribute to a more effective treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) metabolic consequences and vascular complications. The aim of this study was to test the comparative effect of liposomal EGCG with EGCG solution in experimental DM induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. METHOD: 28 Wistar-Bratislava rats were randomly divided into four groups (7 animals/group): group 1-control group, with intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 1 mL saline solution (C); group 2-STZ administration by i.p. route (60 mg/100 g body weight, bw) (STZ); group 3-STZ administration as before + i.p. administration of EGCG solution (EGCG), 2.5 mg/100 g b.w. as pretreatment; group 4-STZ administration as before + i.p. administration of liposomal EGCG, 2.5 mg/100 g b.w. (L-EGCG). The comparative effects of EGCG and L-EGCG were studied on: (i) oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), indirect nitric oxide (NOx) synthesis, and total oxidative status (TOS); (ii) antioxidant status assessed by total antioxidant capacity of plasma (TAC), thiols, and catalase; (iii) matrix-metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and -9 (MMP-9). RESULTS: L-EGCG has a better efficiency regarding the improvement of oxidative stress parameters (highly statistically significant with p-values < 0.001 for MDA, NOx, and TOS) and for antioxidant capacity of plasma (highly significant p < 0.001 for thiols and significant for catalase and TAC with p < 0.05). MMP-2 and -9 were also significantly reduced in the L-EGCG-treated group compared with the EGCG group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: the liposomal nanoformulation of EGCG may serve as an adjuvant therapy in DM due to its unique modulatory effect on oxidative stress/antioxidant biomarkers and MMP-2 and -9.

Comparative Effect Of Curcumin Versus Liposomal Curcumin On Systemic Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Profile, MCP-1 And RANTES In Experimental Diabetes Mellitus.

PURPOSE: Anti-inflammatory proprieties of curcumin were proved to be useful in various diseases, including diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory comparative effect of curcumin solution with liposomal curcumin formula, regarding the improvement of serum levels of TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL-6 (interleukin), IL-1α, IL-1ß, MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and RANTES in experimental diabetes, induced by streptozotocin (STZ), in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six groups of 7 rats were investigated regarding the effect of i.p. (intraperitoneal) administration of two concentrations of curcumin solution (CC1 and CC2) and two concentrations of liposomal curcumin (LCC1 and LCC2): group 1 - control group with i.p. administration of 1 mL saline solution, group 2 - i.p. STZ administration (60mg/kg bw, bw=body weight), group 3 - STZ+CC1 administration, group 4 - STZ+CC2 administration, group 5 - STZ+ LCC1 administration and group 6 - STZ+ LCC2 administration. The concentrations of curcumin formulas were 1 mg/0.1 kg bw for CC1 and LCC1 and 2 mg/0.1 kg bw for CC2 and LCC2, respectively. Serum levels of C-peptide (as an indicator of pancreatic function) and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1ß, MCP-1, and RANTES (as biomarkers for systemic inflammation) were assessed for each group. RESULTS: The plasma level of C-peptide showed significant improvements when LCC was administrated, with better results for LCC2 when compared to LCC1 (P<0.003). LCC2 pretreatment proved to be more efficient in reducing the level of TNF-α (P<0.003) and RANTES (P<0.003) than CC2 pretreatment. Upon comparing LCC2 with LCC1 formulas, the differences were significant for TNF-α (P=0.004), IL-1ß (P=0.022), and RANTES (P=0.003) levels. CONCLUSION: Liposomal curcumin in a dose of 2 mg/0.1 kg bw proved to have an optimum therapeutic effect as a pretreatment in DM induced by STZ. This result can constitute a base for clinical studies for curcumin efficiency as adjuvant therapy in type 1 DM.

Curcumin Nanoparticles Protect against Isoproterenol Induced Myocardial Infarction by Alleviating Myocardial Tissue Oxidative Stress, Electrocardiogram, and Biological Changes.

Curcumin from Curcuma longa is a nutraceutical compound reported to possess strong antioxidant activity that makes it a candidate for use in counteracting oxidative stress-induced damage. The effect of pre-treatment with curcumin nanoparticles (nC) compared to conventional curcumin (Cs) on blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and biological changes on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats had been investigated. The Cs doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg bw and all nC doses (100, 150 and 200 mg/kg bw) significantly reduced heart rate before ISO administration and prevented QRS complex enlargement after MI induction (p < 0.026). All doses of Cs and nC prevented prolongation of the QT and QT corrected (QTc) intervals, with better results for higher doses (p < 0.048). The nC solution had more significant results than Cs in all metabolic parameters assessed (lactate dehydrogenase, glycaemia, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase, p < 0.009). nC was more efficient than Cs in limiting myocardial oxidative stress and enhancing antioxidative capacity (p < 0.004). Compared to Cs, nC better prevented myocardial damage extension, reduced interstitial oedema, and inflammation. Curcumin nanoparticles as compared to conventional curcumin exert better antioxidative effects. Moreover, nC better prevent cardiomyocytes damage, and electrocardiogram alterations, in the case of ISO-induced MI in rats.