Bioflavonoid Daidzein: Therapeutic Insights, Formulation Advances, and Future Directions.

Bioflavonoids, are a diverse group of phytonutrients that are widely distributed in fruits, vegetables, grains, teas, and certain medicinal herbs. They are characterized by their antioxidant properties and play essential roles in plant biology, such as providing color to fruits and flowers, protecting plants from environmental stresses. Daidzein, a bioflavonoid classified under natural products, is sourced from plants like soybeans and legumes. It exists in forms such as glycosides and aglycones, with equol and trihydroxy isoflavone being key metabolites formed by gut bacteria. Known for its wide-ranging therapeutic potential, daidzein has shown effects on cardiovascular health, cancer, diabetes, skin conditions, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative disorders. Its mechanisms include interaction with estrogen receptors, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, and modulation of apoptosis and cell cycles. Recent advances in formulation technologies aimed at enhancing daidzein's bioavailability and efficacy are critically evaluated, including nanoparticle-based delivery systems and encapsulation strategies. Researchers have developed advanced formulations like nanoparticles and liposomes to enhance daidzein's solubility, stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Considered a promising nutraceutical, daidzein warrants further exploration into its molecular actions and safety profile to fully realize its clinical potential. This review offers a succinct overview encompassing therapeutic benefits, chemical characteristics, historical uses, toxicology insights, recent advancements in delivery systems, and future directions for daidzein research.

Effect of rosuvastatin on obesity-induced cardiac oxidative stress in Wistar rats--a preliminary study.

The prevalence of obesity has been rising alarmingly and it has now become a global concern causing an enormous economic burden on the health care system. Obesity is generally linked to complications in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg, po) on obesity-induced oxidative stress in high fat-fed Wistar rats. Oral administration of rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg) for 21 days along with high fat diet brought about significant elevation in serum high density lipoprotein and cardiac antioxidant enzymes levels (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase-, glutathione reductase- and glutathione-S-transferase) while decreasing in serum lactate dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein-B, lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and atherogenic index) and cardiac thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels. The results were comparable with orlistat, a standard antiobesity drug. These preliminary results for the first time demonstrate that administration of rosuvastatin can be beneficial for the suppression of obesity-induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in high fat-fed Wistar rats.

Enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanism by pitavastatin and rosuvastatin on obesity-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats.

CONTEXT: There has been a steady increase in the epidemiology of obesity over the last 30 years with developed countries leading the way. Oxidative stress was believed to be the principle contributor to the development of cardiovascular disorders that linked with obesity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanism by Pitavastatin (PTV) and Rosuvastatin (RSV) on obesity-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats. METHODS: Fifty Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. High fat diet (HFD, 20 g/day/rat) pellets were given for 28 days to produce obesity-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Oral administration of HFD along with PTV, RSV and Orlistat [(HFD for 28 days + from 8th day PTV (1 mg/kg), RSV (5 mg/kg) and Orlistat (10 mg/kg) to 28th day] were given respectively. RESULTS: Both PTV and RSV produced significant (p < 0.01) reduction in serum apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), cardiac-lipid peroxides (TBARS) levels and elevation in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), cardiac antioxidant enzymes [glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catase (CAT)] levels. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Results were comparable with Orlistat, a standard antiobesity drug and present initial evidence that Pitavastatin and Rosuvastatin are useful for the treatment of obesity by enhancing the antioxidant defense mechanism. However, the effects of PTV were more prominent than RSV. The present findings of Pitavastatin and Rosuvastatin raise the possibility of a new application as an antiobesity therapeutic modality.

Pure red cell aplasia--report of 11 cases from eastern Nepal.

There were eleven cases of pure red cell aplasia diagnosed over a period of 2 years (January 2000-December 2001). All the patients had anemia with pallor and weakness being the presenting complaints. Hematological profile depicted normocytic normochromic anemia, reticulocytopenia and marked paucity of erythroid precursors on bone marrow aspiration and biopsy studies. In the present study, one case was of congenital pure red cell aplasia, in one other case of pyrexia of unknown origin, no definitive diagnosis could be made. Other associated diseases seen with pure red cell aplasia were thymoma, septicemia, protein energy malnutrition, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, acute myeloid leukemia, tuberculosis and hepatitis C. The association of pure red cell aplasia with haematologic malignancies is rare. There are very few case reports on pure red cell aplasia with hepatitis C.