Dopamine- and Grape-Seed-Extract-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Interaction Studies between Particles and Differentiated SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cell Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, primarily associated with dopaminergic neuron depletion in the Substantia Nigra. Current treatment focuses on compensating for dopamine (DA) deficiency, but the blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses challenges for effective drug delivery. Using differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, we investigated the co-administration of DA and the antioxidant Grape Seed Extract (GSE) to study the cytobiocompability, the cytoprotection against the neurotoxin Rotenone, and their antioxidant effects. For this purpose, two solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulations, DA-co-GSE-SLNs and GSE-ads-DA-SLNs, were synthesized. Such SLNs showed mean particle sizes in the range of 187-297 nm, zeta potential values in the range of -4.1--9.7 mV, and DA association efficiencies ranging from 35 to 82%, according to the formulation examined. The results showed that DA/GSE-SLNs did not alter cell viability and had a cytoprotective effect against Rotenone-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. In addition, this study also focused on the evaluation of Alpha-synuclein (aS) levels; SLNs showed the potential to modulate the Rotenone-mediated increase in aS levels. In conclusion, our study investigated the potential of SLNs as a delivery system for addressing PD, also representing a promising approach for enhanced delivery of pharmaceutical and antioxidant molecules across the BBB.

Effects of dietary supplementation of grape seed extract in comparison with excessive level of vitamin E on growth performance and antioxidant function of broilers.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E (VE) or grape seed extract (GSE) on the growth performance and antioxidant function of broilers. Two hundred sixteen broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 3 diets: diet supplemented with oxidized rice bran oil (CN group), CN group with 25 mg/kg VE or 100 mg/kg GSE. Dietary VE or GSE improved the growth performance, reverted the disturbed levels of liver antioxidant enzymes, and reduced liver damage of broilers fed oxidized rice bran oil. The mRNA data showed that supplementation of VE or GSE enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the broiler liver through activation of the Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. The results suggested that VE and GSE can increase weight gain, improve the oxidative status, and alleviate liver injury in broiler chicken fed oxidized rice bran oil.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of grape seed procyanidins, preparation of liposomes, and evaluation of their antioxidant capacity.

The residue remaining after oil extraction from grape seed contain abundant procyanidins. An ultrasonic-assisted enzyme method was performed to achieve a high extraction efficiency of procyanidins when the optimal extraction conditions were 8 U/g of cellulase, ultrasound power of 200 W, ultrasonic temperature of 50 ℃, and ultrasonic reaction time of 40 min. The effects of free procyanidins on both radical scavenging activity and thermal stability at 40, 60, and 80 ℃ of the procyanidins-loaded liposomal systems prepared by the ultrasonic-assisted method were discussed. The presence of procyanidins at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.10 mg/mL was observed to be effective at inhibiting lipid oxidation by 15.15 % to 69.70 % in a linoleic acid model system during reaction for 168 h, as measured using the ferric thiocyanate method. The procyanidins-loaded liposomal systems prepared by the ultrasonic-assisted method were characterized by measuring the mean particle size and encapsulation efficiency. Moreover, the holographic plots showed that the effect-response points of procyanidins combined with α-tocopherol in liposomes were lower than the addition line and 95 % confidence interval limits. At the same time, there were significant differences between the theoretical IC50add value and the experimental IC50mix value. The interaction index (γ) of all combinations was observed to be less than 1. These results indicated that there was a synergistic antioxidant effect between procyanidins combined with α-tocopherol, which will show promising prospects in practical applications. In addition, particle size differentiation and morphology agglomeration were observed at different time points of antioxidant activity determination (0, 48, 96 h).

Effects of grape seed procyanidins on the lipid metabolism of growing-finishing pigs based on transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses.

This study investigated how lipid metabolism in the longissimus thoracis is influenced by the diet supplemented with grape seed procyanidins (GSPs) in growing-finishing pigs. Forty-eight crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to four groups, each receiving a basal diet, or basal diet added with 150, 200, and 250 mg/kg GSPs. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were employed to explore differential gene and metabolite regulation. The expression of key lipid metabolism-related genes was tested via qRT-PCR, and the lipid and fatty acid composition of the longissimus thoracis were determined. Dietary GSPs at different concentrations upregulated lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which is involved in lipolysis, and significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1B (CPT1B) and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), implicated in transmembrane transport of fatty acids. Dietary supplementation of GSPs at 200 or 250 mg/kg markedly reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride content in longissimus thoracis. Dietary GSPs significantly decreased the contents of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and saturated fatty acids, while increasing unsaturated fatty acids. In conclusion, GSPs may regulate lipid metabolism, reducing cholesterol level, and improving fatty acid composition in the longissimus thoracis of growing-finishing pigs. Our findings provide evidence for the beneficial effects of GSPs as pig feed additives for improving lipid composition.

Grape seed extract prevents chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity in rat liver through the modulation of phase I detoxification pathway.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) poisoning is a public health problem for which there is not currently any effective prophylaxis. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of grape seed extract (GSE) against CPF-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats were daily treated either with CPF (2 mg/kg) or CPF and GSE (20 mg/kg) for 1 week, sacrificed, and their livers dissected for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological analyses. CPF generated liver dysfunction by altering carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, ammonia and urea metabolism, and provoked mitochondrial impairment through disturbing tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and mitochondrial viability. CPF also induced cholinergic excitotoxicity along with oxidative stress and histopathological alterations. Interestingly, treatment with GSE prevented all the detrimental effects of CPF through the regulation of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene expression. Molecular docking analysis indicated that GSE-containing polyphenols acted as epigenetic modulators through inhibiting DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), thus favoring the CYP2C6 detoxification pathway. Thereby, GSE might be a promising strategy in the protection of the liver against CPF toxicity.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract alleviates inflammation in experimental colitis mice by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complex inflammatory disease of colorectum that induces abnormal immune responses and severely affects the quality of life of the patients. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions in many inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of GSPE in UC using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse UC model and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage model. In this study, we found that the GSPE markedly prevented DSS-induced weight loss and colon length shortening in UC mice. Further investigations showed that GSPE significantly attenuated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß, and elevated the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the colon tissues and serum of DSS-induced colitis mice by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells was also reversed by GSPE. Taken together, our results confirm that GSPE can ameliorate inflammatory response in experimental colitis via inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. This study advances the research progress on a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel diseases.

Dietary short-term supplementation of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract improves pork quality and promotes skeletal muscle fiber type conversion in finishing pigs.

Plant extracts are commonly used as feed additives to improve pork quality. However, due to their high cost, shortening the duration of supplement use can help reduce production costs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on meat quality and muscle fiber characteristics of finishing pigs during the late stage of fattening, which was 30 days in our experimental design. The results indicated that short-term dietary supplementation of GSPE significantly reduced backfat thickness, but increased loin eye area and improved meat color and tenderness. Moreover, GSPE increased slow myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity, while decreasing fast MyHC expression and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle. Additionally, GSPE increased the expression of Sirt1 and PGC-1α proteins in the LT muscle of finishing pigs and upregulated AMP-activated protein kinase α 1 (AMPKα1), AMPKα2, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase ß (CaMKKß) mRNA expression levels. These findings suggest that even during the late stage of fattening, GSPE treatment can regulate skeletal muscle fiber type transformation through the AMPK signaling pathway, thereby affecting the muscle quality of finishing pigs. Therefore, by incorporating GSPE into the diet of pigs during the late stage of fattening, producers can enhance pork quality while reducing production costs.

Antibacterial effect of red laser-activated silver nanoparticles synthesized with grape seed extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Living organisms, particularly humans, frequently encounter microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses in their surroundings. Silver nanoparticles are widely used in biomedical devices because of their antibacterial and antiviral properties. The study evaluates the efficacy of red laser and silver nanoparticles from grape seed extract (AgNPs-GSE) in reducing Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which cause infections. The sample comprised three groups: a control group without laser irradiation (T0), Escherichia coli samples (A1 and A2) irradiated with a 405-nm diode laser at different times and concentrations of silver nanoparticles, and Staphylococcus aureus samples (A3 and A4) illuminated with a 405-nm diode laser at different times and concentrations. Bacteria in groups A2 and A4 were treated with a photosensitizer (PS) made from grape seed extracts, incubated for 10 min, and then irradiated for 90, 120, 150, and 180 s. The samples were cultured on TSA media, set at 37 °C, counted using a Quebec colony counter, and analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. The study illustrated that the combination of 10 µl of AgNPs-GSE, exposure to a red laser at 405 nm, and an energy density of 3.44 J/cm2 effectively photoinactivated both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. For Escherichia coli bacteria irradiated for 180 s with concentrations of 1 mM, 1.5 mM, and 2 mM AgNPs-GSE, bacterial viability decreased by 64.50%, 70.74%, and 79.53%, respectively. Similarly, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, subjected to irradiation for 180 s with concentrations of 1 mM, 1.5 mM, and 2 mM AgNPs-GSE, demonstrated reductions in bacterial viability by 70.23%, 73.47%, and 85.04%, respectively. The findings from the present study indicate that at an energy density of 3.44 J/cm2, it was possible to inactivate Escherichia coli by 79.53% and Staphylococcus aureus by 85.04%.

Investigation on the mechanisms by which the herbal remedies induce anti-prostate cancer activity: uncovering the most practical natural compound.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most reported cancers among men worldwide. Targeting the essential proteins associated with PCa could be a promising method for cancer treatment. Traditional and herbal remedies (HRs) are the most practical approaches for PCa treatment. Here, the proteins and enzymes associated with PCa were determined based on the information obtained from the DisGeNET database. The proteins with a gene-disease association (GDA) score greater than 0.7 and the genes that have a disease specificity index (DSI) = 1 were selected as the target proteins. 28 HRs with anti-PCa activity as a traditional treatment for PCa were chosen as potential bioactive compounds. More than 500 compound-protein complexes were screened to find the top-ranked bioactives. The results were further evaluated using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and binding free energy calculations. The outcomes revealed that procyanidin B2 3,3'-di-O-gallate (B2G2), the most active ingredient of grape seed extract (GSE), can act as an agonist for PTEN. PTEN has a key role in suppressing PCa cells by applying phosphatase activity and inhibiting cell proliferation. B2G2 exhibited a considerable binding affinity to PTEN (11.643 kcal/mol). The MD results indicated that B2G2 could stabilize the key residues of the phosphatase domain of PTEN and increase its activity. Based on the obtained results, the active ingredient of GSE, B2G2, could play an agonist role and effectively increase the phosphatase activity of PTEN. The grape seed extract is a useful nutrition that can be used in men's diets to inhibit PCa in their bodies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exploring the mechanism of probiotics in enhancing the utilization of chemical components (or polyphenols) of grape seed extract.

Fecal samples from 20 healthy adults were collected for in vitro fermentation experiments to investigate the effects of combined probiotics on the utilization of grape seed extract in humans. After fermenting for 24 h, short-chain fatty acids, metabolites, and gut microbiota composition were analyzed. Short-chain fatty acids in the grape seed extract probiotics group were significantly higher than those in the grape seed extract group. Probiotics significantly enhanced the conversion and utilization of catechins and epicatechins in grape seed extract group and increased the production of 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. The 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that compound probiotics significantly increased the relative abundance of Lacticaseibacillus, HT002, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus and reduced that of Escherichia-Shigella. Our findings showed considerable individual variability in the metabolic utilization of grape seed extract in humans. The consumption of probiotics appears to significantly enhance the utilization.

Bleached enamel reversal using grape seed extract, green tea, curcumin-activated photodynamic therapy, and Er: YAG on microleakage and bond integrity of composite material bonded to the enamel surface.

AIMS: Bleached enamel reversal using antioxidants sodium ascorbate (SA), Green tea extract (GTE), grape seed extract (GSE), Curcumin photosensitizer (CP) and Er: YAG laser on the adhesive strength and marginal leakage of composite material bonded to the bleached enamel surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enamel surface of hundred and twenty sound human first premolar teeth was cleansed using pumice and bleached with 35 % hydrogen peroxide. The samples were randomly divided into 5 groups based on the antioxidants used. n = 20 Group 1 (Control): No antioxidant agent, Group 2: 10 % SA solution, Group 3: 6.5 % GSE, Group 4: 5 % GTE, Group 5: Er: YAG laser and Group 6: CP. Following reversal, the composite was built and cured for 40 s. All the specimens were stored in distilled water at room temperature for 1 day. Microleakage, SBS, and failure mode were analyzed. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey's multiple post hoc test were used to analyze the data statistically. RESULTS: Group 2 (SA) (20.11 ± 5.79 nm) exhibited minimum value of microleakage and highest SBS (10.22 ± 1.62 MPa). Whereas, Group 1 (No antioxidant agent) displayed maximum scores of marginal leakage (28.11±8.89 nm) and lowest SBS (7.02 ± 1.22 MPa). CONCLUSION: CP, GTE and GSE can be used as a potential alternative to the commonly used SA solution to reverse the negative impact of bleaching on the enamel surface. The use of reversal agents CP, GTE and GSE improves bond values with a decrease in microleakage scores However, future studies are still warranted to conclude the outcomes of the existing study.

Abrupt Photoperiod Changes Differentially Modulate Hepatic Antioxidant Response in Healthy and Obese Rats: Effects of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract (GSPE).

Disruptions of the light/dark cycle and unhealthy diets can promote misalignment of biological rhythms and metabolic alterations, ultimately leading to an oxidative stress condition. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), which possesses antioxidant properties, has demonstrated its beneficial effects in metabolic-associated diseases and its potential role in modulating circadian disruptions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of GSPE administration on the liver oxidant system of healthy and diet-induced obese rats undergoing a sudden photoperiod shift. To this end, forty-eight photoperiod-sensitive Fischer 344/IcoCrl rats were fed either a standard (STD) or a cafeteria diet (CAF) for 6 weeks. A week before euthanizing, rats were abruptly transferred from a standard photoperiod of 12 h of light/day (L12) to either a short (6 h light/day, L6) or a long photoperiod (18 h light/day, L18) while receiving a daily oral dose of vehicle (VH) or GSPE (25 mg/kg). Alterations in body weight gain, serum and liver biochemical parameters, antioxidant gene and protein expression, and antioxidant metabolites were observed. Interestingly, GSPE partially ameliorated these effects by reducing the oxidative stress status in L6 through an increase in GPx1 expression and in hepatic antioxidant metabolites and in L18 by increasing the NRF2/KEAP1/ARE pathway, thereby showing potential in the treatment of circadian-related disorders by increasing the hepatic antioxidant response in a photoperiod-dependent manner.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Dopamine and Grape Seed Extract: Freeze-Drying with Cryoprotection as a Formulation Strategy to Achieve Nasal Powders.

(1) Background: DA-Gelucire® 50/13-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) administering the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) and the antioxidant grape-seed-derived proanthocyanidins (grape seed extract, GSE) have been prepared by us in view of a possible application for Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment. To develop powders constituted by such SLNs for nasal administration, herein, two different agents, namely sucrose and methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (Me-ß-CD), were evaluated as cryoprotectants. (2) Methods: SLNs were prepared following the melt homogenization method, and their physicochemical features were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). (3) Results: SLN size and zeta potential values changed according to the type of cryoprotectant and the morphological features investigated by SEM showed that the SLN samples after lyophilization appear as folded sheets with rough surfaces. On the other hand, the AFM visualization of the SLNs showed that their morphology consists of round-shaped particles before and after freeze-drying. XPS showed that when sucrose or Me-ß-CD were not detected on the surface (because they were not allocated on the surface or completely absent in the formulation), then a DA surfacing was observed. In vitro release studies in Simulated Nasal Fluid evidenced that DA release, but not the GSE one, occurred from all the cryoprotected formulations. Finally, sucrose increased the physical stability of SLNs better than Me-ß-CD, whereas RPMI 2650 cell viability was unaffected by SLN-sucrose and slightly reduced by SLN-Me-ß-CD. (4) Conclusions: Sucrose can be considered a promising excipient, eliciting cryoprotection of the investigated SLNs, leading to a powder nasal pharmaceutical dosage form suitable to be handled by PD patients.

Supplementation with grape seed extract, onion peel extract, or rosemary extract in the diet alleviates growth inhibition, liver damage, and oxidative stress induced by diquat in Lohmann chicks.

The present study aimed to assess the impact of grape seed extract (GSE), onion peel extract (OPE), and rosemary extract (ROE) on Diquat-induced growth restriction and oxidative stress in Lohmann chicks. A total of 200 chicks were randomly assigned to 5 diets: the positive control (PC) group, the negative control (NC) group, GSE group, OPE group, and ROE group. During the first 7 d of trial, compared with NC and PC groups, the GSE group enhanced average daily feed intake (ADFI). From day 8-21, diquat injection resulted in reduced growth performance, increased platelet volume distribution width (PWD), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in chick serum; it also decreased total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB) concentration, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in chick serum; furthermore, it increased MDA concentration while decreasing GST activities in liver. The NC group exhibited lower average daily gain (ADG) than other groups. Compared with NC group, GSE group reduced ALT activities, MDA levels, and red cell distribution width (RDW), and PDW concentration; it also increased SOD, GST activities. The ROE group lowered ALT activities and MDA concentration. The OPE group decreased ALT activities, and MDA levels, RDW, and PDW concentration, and increased SOD activities of chicks. These results suggest that supplementing antioxidants in diets alleviated oxidative stress in chicks challenged by improving antioxidant capacity and liver function.

Screening of natural extracts with anti-norovirus effects and analysis of this mechanism in grape seed extract.

Norovirus (NoV）is a major causative virus of viral gastroenteritis and requires a general disinfection method because it is resistant to common disinfectants such as ethanol and chlorhexidine. This study aimed to find natural extracts as candidates for versatile disinfectant ingredients. The antiviral effect of natural extracts against NoV can be evaluated using the feline calicivirus (FCV）-inactivation test and NoV virus-like particle (NoV-VLP）-binding inhibition test. In this study, screening of natural extracts with anti- NoV effects was performed using these two methods. Of the 63 natural extracts examined, 14 were found to have high FCV-inactivation and NoV-VLP-binding inhibitory effects. In addition, we evaluated the NoV-VLPbinding inhibitory effect of grape seed extract（GSE）containing proanthocyanidins under multiple concentration conditions and treatment times and determined that the binding inhibitory effect of GSE was concentration- and time-dependent. Electron microscopy showed that GSE-treated NoV-VLPs aggregated, distorted, and swelled, suggesting that GSE directly interacts with NoV particles. The results suggest that some natural extracts containing GSE can be used as components of disinfectants against NoV.

Grape seed extract in combination with deferasirox ameliorates iron overload, oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver dysfunction in beta thalassemia children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Iron overload in the body is associated with serious and irreversible tissue damage. This study aimed to investigate the iron-chelating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities of grape seed extract (GSE) supplement as well as its safety in ß-thalassemia major (ß-TM) pediatric patients receiving deferasirox as a standard iron-chelation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The children were randomly allocated to either GSE group (n = 30) or control group (n = 30) to receive GSE (100 mg/day) or placebo capsules, respectively, for 4 weeks. The serum levels of iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were measured pre-and post-intervention. RESULTS: GSE supplement significantly attenuated the serum levels of iron (p = 0.030), ferritin (p = 0.017), ALT (p = 0.000), AST (p = 0.000), TNF-α (p = 0.000), and hs-CRP (p = 0.001). The TIBC level (p = 0.020) significantly enhanced in the GSE group compared with the placebo group. Moreover, GSE supplement remarkably improved the oxidative stress markers, MDA (p = 0.000) and GSH (p = 0.001). The changes in the SOD activity (p = 0.590) and Hb concentration (p = 0.670) were not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSION: GSE supplement possesses several health beneficial influences on children with ß-TM by alleviating iron burden, oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver dysfunction.

Impact of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract on egg production traits, nutrients digestability, lipid peroxidation and fertility of golden laying hens (Gallus gallus) during early stage of production.

Grape by-products represent outstanding alternatives to replace conventional and unsustainable feed sources, given the substantial quantities generated annually by the winery industry. Regrettably, the majority of these by-products are wasted, resulting in significant environmental and economic repercussions. This study was conducted to assess the growth performance, feed efficiency, egg production and quality, lipid peroxidation, fertility and hatchability of reproductive laying hens during their early production stage. A total of 720 golden laying hens, all approximately 25 weeks old and with similar body weights, were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments (six replicates) as follows: control group receiving only the standard diet, (2) a group receiving the standard diet supplemented with grape seed extract at a rate of 250 g/kg (GSE1), (3) a group receiving the standarddiet supplemented with grape seed extract at a rate of 500 g/kg (GSE2), and (4) a group receiving the standarddiet supplemented with grape seed extract at a rate of 750 g/kg (GSE3). There were no significant change (p > 0.05) in feed intak, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio between the control and the experimental groups. Egg weight, egg shell thickness and egg shell weight were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in GSE250 GSE500 and GSE750 compared to the control. The results showed that hen day egg production was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) in GSE500 and GSE 750 compared to the control. Fertility level of GSE 500 and GSE750 was significantly (p < 0.5) higher compared to the control. The MDA level decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the GSE supplemented birds compared to the control. From these findings, we concluded that GSE 750 had positive impact on egg production, reducing lipid peroxidation and improving fertility in golden laying hens.

On the evaluation of the antimicrobial effect of grape seed extract and cold atmospheric plasma on the dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes in novel multiphase 3D viscoelastic models.

The demand for products that are minimally processed and produced in a sustainable way, without the use of chemical preservatives or antibiotics have increased over the last years. Novel non-thermal technologies such as cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and natural antimicrobials such as grape seed extract (GSE) are attractive alternatives to conventional food decontamination methods as they can meet the above demands. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial inactivation potential of GSE, CAP (in this case, a remote air plasma with an ozone-dominated RONS output) and their combination against L. monocytogenes on five different 3D in vitro models of varying rheological, structural, and biochemical composition. More specifically, we studied the microbial dynamics, as affected by 1 % (w/v) GSE, CAP or their combination, in three monophasic Xanthan Gum (XG) based 3D models of relatively low viscosity (1.5 %, 2.5 % and 5 % w/v XG) and in a biphasic XG/Whey Protein (WPI) and a triphasic XG/WPI/fat model. A significant microbial inactivation (comparable to liquid broth) was achieved in presence of GSE on the surface of all monophasic models regardless of their viscosity. In contrast, the GSE antimicrobial effect was diminished in the multiphasic systems, resulting to only a slight disturbance of the microbial growth. In contrast, CAP showed better antimicrobial potential on the surface of the complex multiphasic models as compared to the monophasic models. When combined, in a hurdle approach, GSE/CAP showed promising microbial inactivation potential in all our 3D models, but less microbial inactivation in the structurally and biochemically complex multiphasic models, with respect to the monophasic models. The level of inactivation also depended on the duration of the exposure to GSE. Our results contribute towards understanding the antimicrobial efficacy of GSE, CAP and their combination as affected by robustly controlled changes of rheological and structural properties and of the biochemical composition of the environment in which bacteria grow. Therefore, our results contribute to the development of sustainable food safety strategies.

Protective effect of grape seed extract and exercise training on tissues toxicities in doxorubicin-treated healthy rat.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Grape seed extract (GSE) and exercise training on Doxorubicin (Doxo)-induced cardio, hepato and myo toxicities in healthy rats. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups and daily treated by intraperitoneal route during two months either with ethanol 10% (Control); Doxo (1.5 mg/kg); Doxo + exercise (1.5 mg/kg + swimming exercise for 30 min twice a week); Doxo + GSE (1.5 mg/kg + GSE 2.5 g/kg); Doxo + GSE + exercise (1.5 mg/kg + GSE 2.5 g/kg + swimming exercise for 30 min twice a week). At the end of the treatment, tissues were collected and processed for the determination of oxidative stress (OS), intracellular mediators, energy fuelling biomarkers, carbohydrate metabolism parameters and muscle histopathology. RESULTS: Doxo provoked OS characterised by an increased lipoperoxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. Doxo also affected intracellular mediators, disturbed carbohydrate metabolism and energy fuelling in skeletal muscle as assessed by down-regulated Electron Transport Chain (ETC) complex activities leading in fine to altered skeletal muscle structure and function. CONCLUSION: Almost all Doxo-induced disturbances were partially corrected with GSE and exercise on their own and more efficiently with the combined treatment (GSE + exercise).

Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidin extract supplementation improves antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) plays a significant role in body health, including improving antioxidant capacity and maintaining lipid metabolism stability. However, whether dietary GSPE supplementation can improve lipid metabolism in finishing pigs remains unclear. Here 18 castrated male Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire finishing pigs were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates and one pig per replicate. Pigs were fed a basal diet (control), a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg GSPE, or a basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg GSPE for 30 days. Antioxidant analysis showed that dietary 200 mg/kg GSPE supplementation increased glutathione, total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase levels, and reduced malondialdehyde levels in serum, muscle and liver. Dietary 200 mg/kg GSPE supplementation also upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of nuclear-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Lipid metabolism analysis showed that dietary GSPE supplementation increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduced serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Besides, GPSE upregulated the mRNA expression of lipolysis- and fatty acid oxidation-related genes downregulated the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related genes, and activated the AMPK signal in finishing pigs. Together, we provided evidence that dietary GSPE supplementation improved the antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs.